Review: A Ghost Story (2017) ★★★½
I went into A Ghost Story expecting something very different (namely something a bit more horrific), so in that sense the film was very disappointing. A Ghost Story is in no way a horror film. It functions as existential horror throughout, but it certainly would not be considered horror in the traditional sense of the word. Despite not meeting my expectations, A Ghost Story is a surprisingly poignant, thoughtful, and well-made film. In terms of its production, it’s rather minimalist, but for such a simple film, its ambitions are rather grandiose. Some of the biggest issues humans face are addressed, such as those related to meaningless, a lack of permanence, and the importance of using our time while we still can.
The story begins with a couple, C (Casey Affleck) and M (Rooney Mara), living in a small house in Texas. M wants to leave the house, but C is resistant to it. One night, they are awoken by the sound of piano keys, but after searching for a while, they find nothing. Later, C is killed, and M identifies him at the morgue. After everyone leaves the room, C’s body sits up, still covered in a sheet. He walks around as a ghost, seemingly unnoticed by anyone, and returns to his house to find M. He continues to observe M as she tries to move on with her life following his death.
As time goes on, the story morphs into a lamentation on human futility in the face of unrelenting change. This point is driven home rather bluntly while C walks in on a party taking place at his former house (one in which Kesha inexplicably makes an appearance as an anonymous guest). C observes a man going on a long-winded diatribe about our human obsession with presence after death. He comments on humanity’s need to endure, to “build our legacy piece by piece…you do what you can to make sure you’re still around after you’re gone.”
He becomes critical of this trait, arguing that, despite our efforts, nothing is ever truly permanent, and even the things we treat as being eternally memorable (such as Beethoven’s symphonies), will eventually be forgotten or made irrelevant by the passing of time, the extension or mass reduction of humanity, or some other inevitability. This cynical view mirrors C’s post-death experiences, as he has witnessed his wife move on, the world around him change, and time itself bend and reshape.
A Ghost Story is full of fascinating, albeit melancholic ideas, and it explores them with very little in the way of dialogue (aside from the aforementioned diatribe). While this approach serves the story and themes quite well, it slows down the pace of an already painfully slow film. Shots often go on for much longer than is necessary, even when there is little going on in the frame. In one such instance, we watch Rooney Mara scarf down a pie, only to run to the bathroom to vomit, all while C’s ghost watches her. The scene goes on for what feels like an eternity, and does little to advance the story or tell us anything of the characters that we didn’t already know. The majority of scenes take this passive, slow-moving approach, which may be a strong deterrent for the less patient viewer.
In addition to the slow pace, director David Lowery doesn’t always answer the questions that naturally arise from the plot. This is done intentionally, as the film is one that is meant to be contemplated and interpreted, but at times our lack of understanding can be a little frustrating. With such a slow pace, one expects there to be some kind of “pay off,” and while the ending is satisfying in its own way, it still leaves us with a few unanswered questions. Nonetheless, A Ghost Story is a fascinating film that is interested in the most important questions of our existence, looking directly at issues that people are often too afraid to address. It does not try to spare our feelings or give us the illusion that are lives are full of meaning or everlasting, despite being about the afterlife, and this is actually quite refreshing. So, in short, as long as you can tolerate a very slow pace and a depressing narrative, A Ghost Story is well worth your time.
Rating: ★★★½ out of 5
A Ghost Story is currently available to rent or purchase via Amazon here.
