Although there are many films that explore the struggles that artists go through, there are not many that center on the craft of acting that are not also an exploration of celebrity. There are a select number of performers who gain immense fame due to the effort they put into their roles, but the vast majority of actors will never reap significant financial benefits from their work and do not rely on it for the bulk of their income. This should not dissuade people from putting themselves out there as performers, as there can be other rewards that come with putting significant effort into telling a story. The powerful independent drama Ghostlight examines how acting can allow people to heal and why it can offer escapism from the darker aspects of life.
What Is ‘Ghostlight’ About?
Ghostlight takes place in the aftermath of the tragic death of the teenager Brian, whose suicide has left his parents Dan (Keith Kupferer) and Sharon Mueller (Tara Mallen) in a state of perpetual grief. After Dan lashes out at a passerby while working his job as a construction worker, he is approached by the friendly actress Rita (Dolly De Leon), who invites him to take part in a community theater production of William Shakespeare’s classic romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Although Dan initially reads for the role of Lord Capulet, he is eventually cast as Romeo, despite not having a background in theater. Despite initially hiding his involvement from his family, Dan begins to reconnect with his daughter Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer), who joins the production in the role of Mercutio. As exciting as it is to bring this classical work of drama to life, Dan is haunted by Brian’s loss as he becomes involved in a legal case that could place culpability for his death on another family.
2:03
Related
25 Best Movies You Didn’t Realize Are Based on Shakespeare Plays
To be, or not to be… a Shakespearean adaptation.
Ghostlight is an incredibly poignant depiction of grief, as it explores how the lingering effects of tragedy can have ramifications that are often difficult to pick up on. Dan may have been able to return to his job but lacks any sort of passion or common courtesy; similarly, Daisy had previously given up her interest in acting and began to start acting out more at school. Although taking part in Romeo & Juliet does not in any way erase the memory of Brian, it does allow them to redirect their emotions towards a different initiative. A mistake that many make as they cope with trauma is trying to cut out and deny their feelings; Dan and Daisy are both able to open themselves back up to emotions by growing invested in the characters that they are playing. However, this level of investment also has its negative ramifications; Dan finds it difficult to spend so much time exploring a story that deals with death, and Sharon in particular struggles accepting Daisy’s role, as it is the death of Mercutio that sets off the tragic events of the story.
‘Ghostlight’ Celebrates the Transformative Power of Art
Ghostlight shows how acting can be an uplifting form of art even if it does not receive an audience. Even though Dan spends months preparing for his performance, the first and only performance that he gives is only observed by a small group of family and friends. The film also does not make any leaps in logic when it comes to his talent; Dan has never been a professional actor and gives a performance that is very earnest but often quite amateurish. The set of Romeo & Juliet that is constructed is quite meager, as it has the same level of production values as a high school theater show. However, judging the economics of the performance isn’t important, because Ghostlight shows that there is truth behind the drama that these actors convey.
Ghostlight also shows the importance of distinguishing fiction from reality, as Dan has to accept that Romeo makes choices that he never would; while he initially struggles to empathize with Romeo’s suicide given what happened to Brian, he understands that acting does require a degree of forced authenticity. Given that Ghostlight is itself a small-budget independent feature, its celebration of the selflessness of artistry is even more poignant. Ghostlight may be about a largely forgettable rendition of Romeo & Juliet, but the film itself is destined to be a future cult classic.
Ghostlight
- Release Date
-
June 14, 2024
- Runtime
-
110 Minutes
- Director
-
Kelly O’Sullivan, Alex Thompson
- Writers
-
Kelly O’Sullivan
-
Katherine Mallen Kupferer