A lot of people struggle with their emotions. And that especially includes older men who were raised to believe that masculinity means not showing any sign of weakness, which can lead to fits of rage and emotional instability. But the arts can be a vehicle for these emotions — a way to process them in a safe environment where they don’t have to be a liability.
Construction worker Dan (Keith Kupferer) is stressed-out, and his daughter Daisy (played by Kupferer’s real-life daughter Katherine Mallen Kupferer) is facing possible expulsion from school. One day Dan loses his temper at his job and is invited by Rita (Dolly de Leon) to a community production of Romeo and Juliet — so he can be someone else for a while. Dan’s escapism doesn’t last, though, as the play forces him to confront the emotions he has been running from.
Ghostlight excels on many levels, from the way the story slowly peels back its many layers in a seamless fashion — without flashbacks or clumsy exposition — to its cast of fun and interesting supporting characters and the stellar chemistry of its leads, played by actors who are themselves related. The pieces come together to make for a movie that strikes a balance between charming and devastating; it’s both a crowd-pleaser and a tearjerker, with a tragedy that unfolds in a style similar to Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester by the Sea — with a touch of Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car.
If you are looking for a film that explores grief in a hopeful manner and gives our emotions a place to express themselves, or if you want a reminder of the lasting power of the works of Shakespeare, Ghostlight delivers. Just don’t forget to bring some tissues.
