A Ghost Story

A Ghost Story was a rather polarizing movie back when it premiered due to its misleading marketing that made it seem like a horror/suspense movie, but the reality is not that far away when we start thinking things through.

I was moved and enthralled by what, at first glance, is a slow-burn kind of movie with very, very little dialogue and long takes that seems to drag on and on, yet with each take, there's a small gift of solace in portraying a very melancholic life about loss, grief, and the passing of time. A movie that's softly strong it essence, with a simplistic narrative that tries to for the less-is-more kind of approach, and, in my opinion, it succeeds at it.

Don't expect this to be a melodrama or a romance, instead, approach it as a cinematographic experience about the inability to let go of a loved one, about the dangers of waiting, and how love can endure what seems eternity.

There's two particular scenes that completely moved me, despite their short and succinct execution, they work great at showing you what this film is about, and I'm sure that if you give it the opportunity and time, it will reward you with a very powerful story.

I am surprised at how emotional this movie was. I fully expected this to be slow and it was so as it started off I wasn't angry but I was getting bored, anyone who has seen it can admit that the pie eating scene is a tad too long. However as the movie progresses it becomes better or even great in places, it is slow but it explores the passing of time and mortality in such a magnificent way that it makes the viewer think and reflect on their own life and what it means. As I said in the title this movie would go really well with Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, especially the song Time. The story of the movie is very simple but effective and the length of it is perfect. The movie is an unexpected gem because even though people have recommended this I did not expect it to be one of the most resonant movies of 2017 for me and one that would make feel so sad and thoughtful.

This film tells the story of a man who dies in a car accident. He goes back to his home as a ghost covered in a white sheet, and watch the world goes by and goes on.

Casey Affleck must have the least screen time ever for a leading credit. He appears in the film for a total of ten to fifteen minutes only. Anyone could have been under that white sheet, so it might not have been him.

This film lacks any story. It is so slow that I watched it at three times the speed and still thought it was far too slow. Watching Rooney Mara eat a pie for seven minutes is not interesting. Watching a ghost standing motionless for three minutes isn't interesting either. In fact, the whole film is not interesting. It seems like someone's very mean and twisted practical joke, by making a bad film and see how the critics declare that they love it.

"A Ghost Story" haunts its way into my 7/10 rating, and I must admit, I liked it. Casey Affleck's minimalist yet poignant performance under a sheet is surprisingly affecting, creating an ethereal presence that lingers long after the film ends. The deliberate film editing, characterized by long takes and slow pacing, allows the audience to immerse themselves in the film's meditative atmosphere. Its strength lies in its exploration of time, mortality, and the afterlife, offering a unique and introspective take on the supernatural genre. Daniel Hart's haunting score adds to the film's melancholic beauty, and the cinematography, often framed in a square aspect ratio, gives a sense of isolation and eternity. "A Ghost Story" is a thought-provoking and quietly moving experience, reminding us that even in death, our presence can endure, and my liking for it is as enduring as the ghost's silent watch over time.

A Ghost Story marks David Lowry's return to cinema since his 2013 indie hit "Ain't Them Bodies Saints". Telling the story of a young couple (Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara) who buy a home and plan to start a life together in it until tragedy strikes. The Man suddenly dies and leaves the wife to fend for herself and build a life in the house by herself instead of with the man she loves. All while she is going through this in reality, the Man begins to haunt the home in a classical white sheet donning way. Throughout the years of being trapped to haunt this home, The Ghost also has to witness the love of his past life continue on without him and experience the moments of life without him. It is a beautiful and heart wrenching film that delves deeper into what grief does to not only a person but to a ghost.

Whether you believe in an after life or not, A Ghost Story isn't worried about your beliefs. It plays out like a fantasy and that's how it stays which really bodes well for it. It never reaches beyond what is happening with the Man and the Woman and, of course, the House (which becomes a character in and of itself). David Lowry does a great job at setting up a "what if" scenario that all you can do is ask yourself, "what would I do in this situation?" The scariest part of that is there is literally nothing you can do. That rationalization is probably scarier than most horror films out today.

The film itself is a very digestible 90 minutes which is of a perfect length for this film because it doesn't go overboard and forget what it is. It's a horror film that is light on scares but heavy on thoughts and brains. There's no real scares. The big scare is putting yourself in the shoes of the ghost. What would you do if you had to witness your loved one go through grief and you couldn't do anything about it? You couldn't comfort them. You couldn't hold them. You could just watch. What if the person you loved moved on from you? What if they forget you? These questions are what made A Ghost Story scary for me. The level of helplessness that the film portrays is horrifying enough to remind audiences that death is still scary.

Overall, the film is an experimental ghost story that shows Lowry in top form both as a writer and a director. The crass nature of reality is that death is lonely and he captures that perfectly. While many who take a look at the poster will certainly think that the film is just another horror movie trying to capitalize on some paranormal money, A Ghost Story is much more than that. It is beautiful to watch, heart wrenching to experience and an absolute delight cinematically.