Ghost (1990)
Banker Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) and his girlfriend, artist Molly Jensen (Demi Moore), move into a Manhattan loft apartment and begin to renovate. They are helped by Sam's friend and co-worker Carl Bruner (Tony Goldwyn). One night, after attending the theatre with Molly, Sam is fatally shot by a mugger who tries to steal his wallet. Sam is shocked to discover he is a ghost but refuses to move on to the afterlife because of his love for Molly. In the following weeks he observes his funeral and Molly’s unhappiness. However, when the mugger (Rick Aviles) who shot him breaks into their apartment and searches it, Sam suspects that his death was not just a robbery that went wrong. During his travels Sam discovers a fake medium, Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg), who can hear him. Sam desperately tries to convince her to help him as he believes that Molly may be in danger.
Ghost is unusual in so far that it is a mainstream, commercial studio film, that is entertaining, accessible, and well made. Do not be fooled by the PG-13 rating, Ghost is not a twee, overly sentimental family film. It works all the better for the fact that the story is portrayed in a more credible adult fashion. Although ostensibly a supernatural, romantic drama, it is tempered by some clever ideas, genuine tension, and some quite scary set pieces. The casting is sound and there’s a tangible sense of romance between leads. Whoopi Goldberg provides excellent comic relief, but she also gives a good performance as a jaded and cynical con artist. The direction, by Jerry Zucker, is measured and finds the right balance between the lighter and darker elements. This was his first dramatic movie. He had previously made several parody films such as Airplane! and The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
One aspect of Ghost that works well is the lack of explanation regarding the supernatural elements. There is not an excess of religious connotations. Death results in the spirit either moving on to the afterlife or being dragged away by spectral figures. Some spirits, such as Sam, linger in the world for personal reasons. It is also interesting how spirits have limited abilities to interact with physical objects. Ghost also balances the romance and humour with a few solid shocks, such as the sinister figures that claim those who have died and are deemed evil. The villain’s death is also surprisingly shocking. All of which contribute to the film being well rounded and a good example of mainstream, studio filmmaking from the decade. If Ghost were remade today, I suspect it would be bereft of all these positive aspects and more of a cynical marketing pitch to a specific demographic.
