Directed by: Jerry Zucker
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Rick Aviles
Ghost taps into the universal hope and belief that somehow death is not the end, but a new beginning. We take comfort in the thought that our loved ones may have passed on, but are still watching over us. This is the case with Molly Jensen (Moore), who is grieving the loss of her murdered boyfriend Sam (Swayze) after a mugging. She is despondent and in mourning, not knowing that Sam still walks as a spirit with unfinished business here on Earth.
Sam's death was no accident, but a contract killing. He was about to discover a massive money laundering scheme at his bank and was killed for it. He cannot reach Molly directly to tell her that her life is in danger, but has the good fortune to stumble upon phony psychic Oda Mae Brown (Goldberg), who much to her surprise and chagrin can hear Sam. Molly is slow to believe Oda Mae's claims that she is reciting Sam's words to her verbatim. Oda Mae seems to know about Sam's most intimate moments with Molly, yet Molly doesn't believe her. Meanwhile, the villain, fellow investment banker and Sam's friend Carl (Goldwyn) is hovering waiting to either kill Molly or bed her.
What keeps Ghost grounded is the feelings of loss, despair, and frustration both Molly and Sam feel. Molly is course missing her lover, while Sam not only misses her, but has to go through the hell of being so close to her without being able to touch her or communicate. Being a ghost has its advantages, such as being able to move objects and going anywhere undetected, but there are downsides too. Bruce Joel Rubin's Oscar-winning screenplay deftly handles these conflicting pros and cons.
Swayze is a sympathetic ghost, while Goldberg appears as needed comic relief. Swayze and Goldberg play well off each other. Their initial antagonism gives way to friendship and mutual respect, with Goldberg adeptly coming to terms with the fact that she is not a fake after all. Poor Demi Moore has to play most of her scenes with tears in her eyes, but she is less inaccessible here than she was in other movies. Moore was never an actress I warmed up to. She is attractive, yes, but something always kept me at arm's length. In Ghost, she at least allows us a glimpse inside.
Ghost moves along to a very moving conclusion and earns its emotional impact. How many people would love to see their deceased loved ones one last time? Even for just a few moments. Ghost also takes up the argument that the deceased wouldn't mind a few more moments with the ones they left behind. All of this neatly wrapped up in a plausible thriller. What more can you ask for?
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