Story Review | Ghostlight
Written By: Pamela Fortier
Image Courtesy of PIFF
Ghostlight is a film directed by Alex Thompson and Kelly O'Sullivan that tells the story of a family coming to grips with the suicide death of their teenage son, Brian. Seen mainly through the eyes of the father, Dan, who struggles to understand how his son could have come to the point where suicide was his only option. He is unable to talk about it with his daughter and his wife and lives in a shuttered world prone to outbursts of rage in response to minor conflicts. By chance his construction job brings him to the doorstep of a small theater group of amateur actors who take him in and offer him company. Despite his reluctance, the offer draws him in and fills a deep need for human touch. The theater group is producing the play Romeo and Juliet and he takes the leap, attending rehearsals in secret, not even telling his family.
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His daughter, Daisy, is acting out in school and is on the brink of expulsion for pushing a teacher. She was in the theater group at school when her brother committed suicide and has quit acting even though she is a natural performer and a gifted stage presence. She is in therapy trying to deal with the suicide and despite her best efforts can’t get her father to attend with her and open up about his pain and loss.
His wife, Sharon, is trying to keep the family together but feels like all her efforts are wasted and unappreciated. She craves the company and support of her family but is being left out and isolated. The film takes us into this broken family and a tragedy that can’t be understood.
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As sad as the situation is when we enter the lives of the family, the healing of redemption of the characters by the end is so heartfelt, it’s hard to think anyone could leave without shedding tears of joy. Bring a good supply of tissues for this film. The tale of Romeo and Juliet is how the characters are able to stand in another’s shoes and find empathy and understanding. Through literature the characters are able to forgive each other and finally move forward.
In a theater, a ghost light is a light kept burning when the rest of the theater is dark. Some say it’s to chase spirits away and others say it is to welcome them in. As you watch the film you may think that both are true. You don’t have to be a theater enthusiast to enjoy this film, although if you are familiar, there are many aspects that will strike a nerve. The final performance is very moving and unforgettable. Even though we never meet Brian his presence is felt through the entire film like the ghost light that shines unfailingly in the darkened theater.
Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1TycuGX4Mw
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30321095/
https://www.ifcfilms.com/films/ghostlight
Image Courtesy of PIFF
