Today’s quick review: Ghost. When Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is killed in a mugging, he’s surprised to find himself lingering around as a ghost. Able to see the physical world but not to interact with it, Sam keeps watch over Molly Jensen (Demi Moore), the girlfriend he left behind. But when Sam learns that the man who killed him is coming after Molly, he must turn to Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg), a phony medium, to warn her.
Ghost is a fantasy romance about a murdered man who lingers on as a ghost, unable to return to the woman he loves. Sam Wheat must master the rules of his new state of being and convince Oda Mae, the only person who can hear him, to help him with his unfinished business. Ghost serves up romance, drama, and mystery in equal parts, all topped off with a smattering of comedy. The result is an eclectic movie that manages to make good on its premise.
Ghost is a jumble of different ideas that somehow play nicely together. The core of the movie is Sam’s relationship with Molly and his attempts to take care of her from beyond the grave. But along the way, the movie also touches on grief, the nature of the afterlife, and the details of Sam’s death, with a few forays into comedy as Sam tries to work with Oda Mae. Ghost is a movie that isn’t afraid to dabble in whatever areas it needs to tell its story.
The gamble pays off for the simple reason that Ghost picks a compelling premise to work with, one that’s capable of supporting all the different things it tries to do. Sam’s regrets and Molly’s grief give the movie some powerful emotional material to work with. The rules of the afterlife are explored clearly and have a direct effect on the plot. Even the rare parts of the movie that flirt with horror feel like a natural consquence of the premise.
Still, what Ghost has to offer won’t appeal to everyone. The romance doens’t get as much attention as in other movies, and the movie cares more about the fact that Sam and Molly are in love than the details of them as a couple. The fantasy premise can feel like a cheat for those used to more grounded dramas. The movie’s willingness to switch between poignant love story, buddy comedy, and vengeful haunting will also throw some viewers for a loop.
Ghost is a surprisingly well-crafted movie that makes the most of a creative premise. The particulars of its story and tone mean that it won’t resonate with audiences as deeply as some other romances, but there’s plenty of tenderness for fans of the genre and enough variety to keep the interest of a wide range of viewers. Give it a shot when you’re in the mood for something emotional that also has a substantial story.
For a more comedic romance about a dead loved one, try P.S. I Love You. For a more suspenseful brush with the afterlife, try The Sixth Sense. For a more sentimental drama about looking at one’s life from the outside, try It’s a Wonderful Life.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for a creative premise that’s handled well.