The idea of a movie in which the ‘good guy’ bites the dust before latecomers have even settled in their seats is interesting, but unlikely to satisfy mainstream audiences make money. But Ghost goes against the flow, devoting most of the story to what happens after Sam Wheat ( Patrick Swayze) dies. The film, which cost $22 million to make, has grossed well over $500 million since its 1990 release. And that’s before DVD profits even started being added in to the equation.
The story starts off tragic before becoming modestly gripping and eventually inspiring. Sam and his partner Molly Jensen ( Demi Moore) have it all – great jobs (he’s a banker and she’s an artist), a fabulous New York City apartment they’ve renovated themselves, and a strong relationship. But things fall apart in an instant when a thug confronts the two on the street and Sam is shot dead. Understandably, Sam’s not ready to move onto the next place right away, so he sticks around in Molly’s life, although she doesn’t know it. Sam is a ghost and he soon has more to do that just mope over his demise; he also has a conspiracy to sort out and several criminals to bring to justice. And while his powers in the living world are virtually non-existent, the help of a psychic ( Whoopi Goldberg) and the advice of a fellow undead gives Sam purpose in death.
Ghost might have been written off as a shallow romantic fantasy if not for the nicely balanced script by Bruce Joel Rubin (Jacob’s Ladder, Deep Impact) and the surprisingly restrained direction of Jerry Zucker (Airplane!). Observers can be forgiven for not expecting this from Zucker, whose previous directorial and producing experience gave the impression that wacky comedy was the only note that he could play. Not true. Zucker and his team have crafted an emotionally manipulative but still satisfying film. What makes Ghost special is the way it takes what might have been an unbearably sentimental story and turns it into a powerfully romantic drama with a humdinger of a positive message about life, death and love. It would be stretching the point to say that this is a profound film, but it is at least moving and decently entertaining.
Swayze and Moore have a fabulous rapport that makes their scenes together – especially their memorable potter’s wheel love scene and the film’s heart-rending concluding scenes – absolutely electric. Swayze isn’t a great actor, but he’s got a knack for playing potentially cheesy romantic roles better than just about anything else that he does. Moore is well suited to her role as well – particularly her remarkable skill for crying on cue – she can even turn on and off individual eyes as well, apparently.
If the romance of Ghost doesn’t work for you, then you might find it easy to picks holes in what is otherwise only a lukewarm thriller. But you’d need to be cold as ice for this tragic romance to fail to sweep you away.
