10s Movie Review - A Ghost Story

Director: David Lowery
Genre: Drama/ Mystery/ Fantasy
Runtime: 92 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 24: A SILENT FILM OR ONE WITH MINIMAL DIALOGUE
 
Description: In the singular exploration of legacy, love, loss, and the enormity of existence, a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost (Casey Affleck) returns to his suburban home to try to reconnect with his bereft wife (Rooney Mara).

Review: With “Manchester by the Sea”, Case Affleck showed us how great of an actor he actually is. And he was awarded an Oscar for his role. On paper, “A Ghost Story” sounds like the perfect movie for someone like Affleck, because he can portray themes of grief and sorrow like no other. But director David Lowery decided to cover Affleck for the most part with a white sheet for this film.

The film starts with a couple, nameless. We follow them through some ordinary moments in their lives. But then the husband crashes his car and returns as a ghost (hence the white sheet). He watched his wife grief, but cannot make contact with her. Time passes and the wife moves one, while the husband is still under the sheet watching life pass him by.

Lowery opted for long takes in the film, which also includes hardly any talking. Initially, it all doesn’t look that special. But then very slowly the themes the film is really about begin to unfold. It’s not just about the wife and her grief, but about the husband and his experience in a world where time is relative. He is looking for puzzle pieces, things to cling to. The answer he is looking for unfolds like a mystery.
Rooney Mara plays the wife, she really impresses in the first part of the film. Her character fades to the background in the second half, to make way for Affleck. Not only is he good in the scenes we actually see him in, but the way he shapes the ghost is really impressive. Even though you don’t see a person and there is no speech, he manages to make a lot clear in terms of feeling though posture and movements. Great framing, fantastic camera work and a unique soundtrack.

“A Ghost Story” is a strange film and I never though I would love it as much as I did. It’s a beautiful film, where patience is rewarded.

Rating: 4,5/ 5