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.

This is not a film to watch with a big bowl of popcorn snuggled up looking for something to entertain you on a Tuesday night. It's probably best that you know what you're getting yourself into...

It's a film that challenges you to empathize with a faceless, voiceless entity that you only get to know briefly. It weaponizes boredom and hazy, cold cinematography to put the viewer in a similar situation as the titular ghost. You are a distant, helpless observer to a world that relentlessly moves forward without you. Characters come and go without much introduction or resolution, and all you can do is watch as time goes on... and on... and on...

A Ghost Story is intentionally divisive, but if you immerse yourself in its bold and and chilling atmosphere, you will experience a film that is deeply moving and sticks with you for a long, long time.

It's a good concept. But poorly portrayed... Excruciating,, long ,, boring scenes,,with absolutely no pay off. If anyone paid at a theatre to see this, they got robbed. I would be demanding My money back and reparations for the valuable time that cannot be replaced. Run from this film , as fast as you can.

I didn't hate this film, but it missed the mark on so many levels. Rooney Mara's talent is essentially wasted in her role as the grieving widow. Casey Affleck is...well, Casey Affleck, and in his defense, he doesn't have much to work with here. The director gets points for making a silent bed sheet somewhat watchable. And, there are a few really good scenes, which I won't describe in case you absolutely, positively want to watch this. However, I have to warn you that unless you're willing to endure long stretches of nothing of importance happening, you probably won't care for this film.

This is what happens when a director decides to make a work of art regardless of what the intended audience wants. Points awarded for trying.

Alright. I confess. I am an emotional person. After seeing the Plugged In review for this film, I cautiously threw this movie in on a slow, Saturday night. I assumed that it was going to be much like the movie "Ghost," and that it would be good, but not overly amazing. I was so wrong.

Not only did this movie make me cry for most of its duration, but it literally made me sob so hard that I was afraid of waking up the rest of my family is I cried in my bedroom at 11:45 at night. The film just hits so close to home. Time is the enemy of everyone. There's no going back, and there's no stopping it either. People pass, relationships end, romances form and then break apart. Nothing, at least in our physical world, ever stays the same. This movie beautifully illustrates this in a way that most American audiences don't seem to be understanding, which is why I am writing this review.

This movie deserves so much more recognition that it currently has; especially on this site. While this is by no means an action-packed or on-the-edge-of-your-seat film, the pure amount of artistry and raw, unadulterated emotion found in it makes stand out in my mind as one of the best films I have ever seen.

It's so simple. So astronomically simple; and that's what makes it so magical. Whether it be the haunting image of a wrecked car or the heavily-spoken about scene depicting a woman eating an entire pie for over five minutes, every single shot is filmed with so much emotion, it makes you want to pause the film and reflect on every minute the story has to offer. Everything has a purpose in this film. It all ties together in this beautiful, haunting tragedy mixed with a love song.

I know I'm just a kid. Yes, I may be only seventeen. But I beg you, if the reviews for this film on this site are making you think twice about seeing this, just listen to what I have to say and watch it. No, it's not for everyone. If you're looking for a horror movie or a blood-splattered motion pic, skip this one over. But if you're deeper than that, and you actually want to experience something you won't forget, throw yourself into this one.

It's sad to see that this beautiful masterpiece of American cinema is being so overlooked.