Ghost surely needs no introduction, particularly that iconic pottery wheel sex-scene soundtracked by Unchained Melody (so memorably parodied in the Naked Gun) but then before Saturday night Andrew had never seen it. A romantic-comedy-drama with a supernatural, even horror angle, the film sees Patrick Swayze's Sam stabbed to death in the opening 20 minutes. Then he's back as a ghost trying to work out why he's still around, and enlisting the assistance of once-fake medium Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg, in an Oscar-winning turn) to protect girlfriend Molly (Demi Moore).
best bits...
One of Ghost's main strengths is the tight script that finally balances the tragedy of Sam's death with the hilarity of Oda Mae, with room for romance and some disturbing visions of souls being dragged off to hell. None of the drama feels cheapened by the humour, which is often laugh out loud funny - it's refreshing to see such a comic role from Goldberg being rewarded by the oft-fusty Academy Awards. Every time she comes on screen she shines a light on some of the sadder moments, mostly those with Demi Moore - she is grieving after all. The ghost/medium device could have been so misjudged, here everything is played perfectly. This isn't just the Whoopi show though, Swayze is brilliant in the lead, going through a range of emotions upon learning he has been killed, and then finding out it's murder, and then the identities of those involved! The murder-mystery element adds yet another dimension, and Tony Goldwyn is a great sweaty, corporate banker villain. I don't think I realised how much I enjoy Ghost until this last viewing, every element is a winner.
The only bits that let Ghost down are a result of age. I like the 1980s computers with their black screens and green text, and the whole yuppie look that bad guy Carl pulls off, but the special effects could do with a polish. I'm sure they were groundbreaking at the time, and they do look pretty impressive - my main problems is with the 'shhhhmf' sound effects that accompany Sam's attempts to move his ghostly body through physical objects. They're unnecessary.
briefly...
Ghost is one of the most pleasurable, enjoyable multi-hyphenate genre movies I've ever seen, with characters and a script that remains fresh over twenty years later. This must be one of Whoopi Goldberg's finest hours, alongside Sister Act of course. I'd be interested to see what the new musical version is like, especially considering that Dave Stewart has co-written the music.
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