A Ghost Story (2017)
Film Review
By the Geezer of Oz
“In this singular exploration of legacy, love, loss, and the enormity of existence, a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to try to reconnect with his bereft wife.” (IMDb)
An ambitious film that somehow pulls off the fact that its main character is a ghost in the form of a person under a white sheet.
Now that we got that out of the way, let me say that this is one of the best horror films (though it is more drama than horror or anything else) I’ve seen in the past few years. A very atmospheric, artistic piece with fantastic performances (yes, even the white-sheeted ghost) and a great mood-setting soundtrack.
Director David Lowery, who has since directed 2018’s The Old Man & the Gun, greatly impresses in his feature film debut. He shows great patience in his shots and great detail in his beautiful framing. I have yet to see his above mentioned follow-up, but I hope to correct that soon.
Lowery takes risks and does it in an artful and inventive way without seeming too pretentious. Ultimately, it is a film dealing with love, loss and attachment as well as the inevitability of it all in some way. Stars Casey Affleck (Gone Baby Gone, The Killer Inside Me, Manchester by the Sea) and Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Side Effects, Carol, Lion) both perform magnificently in tough roles, especially Mara who carries the film on her shoulders.
If you like horror that is challenging and artistic, this one is not to be missed.
A work of art. 8.5/10.
