Ghostlight

intense treatment of one of martha graham's last dance performances. showcases the legendary choreographer and dancer through the eyes of a young journalist who is doing a piece on martha's life - who also happens to have been a student of martha's during martha's younger years. very nice parallel between the struggles of the character martha embodies in the dance and her own struggles as an aging woman and dancer. i found the dance sequences invigorating - but the film has enough humanness and depth to keep non-dance types like me entertained and even charmed. this film is definitely worth seeing, especially for richard move's spectacular performance. he makes a very compelling martha, although i must admit that i didn't think the costume/wig people did him justice in all scenes. added bonus: cameos by blondie and isaac mizrahi.

A friend convinced me to see Ghostlight at the Tribeca Festival in '03. A cross- dressed Martha Graham bio pic? Come on! I walked in wondering if the film would fall into the Gimmick of the Year category - or just the Bad Idea category. Well hush my mouth. Friends, we've got us a whole new category here: Ghostlight is a gem - a daring idea pulled off with humor and style by a talented director and an improbable (but very talented) actor.

The cast is even and commendable, but overwhelmed by Richard Move as MG. That's probably as it should be. Graham was nothing if not overwhelming. Move manages not so much to portray his character as to bring her back from the dead. The effect is a bit eerie at first, but you soon get used to it and the film is entirely engrossing.

It's a very smart - and successful - approach to a difficult problem. (Who would you cast as Martha Graham? It can't be done!) The director - Christopher Herrmann - deserves credit for his vision and for his nerve.

Well, it's like this: If you never met Martha Graham, this is your chance. Ghostlight is a touching and memorable film - with a clever twist. Highly recommended.

To be honest, I was peripherally involved with this production early on. My initial reaction to the notion of a dance legend played in drag, a sumptuous life filmed on a shoestring, a crazy-quilt chronology that inexplicably shifts time and tempo, and more dance per frame than any film since The Red Shoes, was no way! This is never gonna work! Well, guess what kids? It does! And beautifully! Seeing it on the big screen with a tough, discerning New York audience dispelled all doubts. The laughs were hearty, the dance editing and music were powerful and my overall experience ran the gamut from genuine surprise to extreme satisfaction with the rich characterizations and compelling storytelling. Congratulations to all. Looking back on my initial negative prejudgement, I've never been so happy to be so wrong.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this film; not knowing much about Martha Graham or dance, I went to see it expecting to be bored, lost, or asleep. In contrast (to my expectations) I found it to be a very entertaining film that really was very unique ... comedic and dramatic, while enlightening me on what a force that Martha Graham really was. Although, I discovered later, that there was some artistic license taken to capture her very lengthy career in a 2 hour movie, it is a movie that is well worth seeing to get an understanding of the impact that she has had on American dance and theater.

A very entertaining and unique film.

Writer/director/producer Chris Herrmann's interviews at the time this film was released indicate that he was one of Martha Graham's last employees and confidantes, and his affection for the modern dance giant is evident in this frothy homage to Graham and the woozy NYC art/dance world of the late 20th century. Showcasing a hysterical (and surprisingly touching) performance by Richard Move as the legendary "Martha" (legends don't need surnames, after all) and co-starring downtown performance powerhouse Ann Magnuson as the intrepid reporter out to "docu" her, Herrmann keeps us moving on a whirlwind tour around Manhattan, with tasty cameos from Debbie Harry (shopping for important jewelry, no less!), Isaac Mizrahi and Mark Morris, among others. The crowd at the Tribeca Film festival loved this one and you will too!