There has been a lot of discourse about the state of movies today and whether or not Hollywood has any original ideas. This is often discussed in the context of numerous sequels, prequels and reboots, but also in some disappointing box office returns in the past couple of years.
The truth is, original movies are being made all the time, but often without huge studio backing, so they end up stuck in the film festival circuit or languishing on a streaming service. But right now, “Ghostlight,” a small, incredible film from co-directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, is playing in theaters, and we have the chance to support it.
When Dan (Keith Kupferer), a middle-aged construction worker, wanders into a community theater rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet, he has no idea that his life is about to change. He is dealing with distraction and rage at his job. His daughter Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) is struggling at school, and his wife Sharon (Tara Mallen) is trying to hold their family together, while Dan just leaves when confronted with conflict. Through his work with this group, he is able to connect with himself and, ultimately, with his wife and daughter in a way he has been unable to for a long time.
“Ghostlight” is a beautiful, life-affirming movie about the power of community to heal. I don’t want to say too much about the plot because the way the story unfolds is incredibly powerful and benefits from unfurling at the pace that writer O’Sullivan sets. But while this film deals with some difficult and heavy subject matter, it does so in a way that will leave you grateful to have experienced it with this family.
The performances from real-life family members Keith Kupferer, Katherine Kupferer, and Tara Mallen are breathtaking. The anger, pain, exhaustion and love all feel incredibly real, no doubt due to their off-screen relationships. The rest of the supporting cast members do an exceptional job playing amateur actors. Everything about this film feels deeply human.
The way the full depth of the story reveals itself is genuinely lovely. We know from early in the film that this family has experienced some kind of loss, but the way we are granted access to it feels organic and powerful. Bring your tissues to this film — only the most hard-hearted will come out unscathed. The most open-hearted may find themselves looking for a local community theater group to join.
A ghostlight in a theater is a single bare bulb that remains lit at all times. It is there primarily to provide some kind of illumination so that someone walking into a room won’t fall in the pit or hurt themselves by tripping over chairs. Superstitions suggest that they are there to allow the ghosts of the past a way to continue to perform when no one is around.
Regardless of what they’re actually for, ghostlights exist as a way to help people who are stuck in the dark. If you feel stuck in the dark, perhaps the movie “Ghostlight” is for you.
Alise Chaffins is a Morgantown writer who loves movies and sharing her opinions. She reviews a movie from a streaming service every Saturday and one newly in theaters every Sunday. Find more at MacGuffin or Meaning on Substack.
