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A Ghost Story

  review by Bobby Blakey

Some movie are just so out there you just don’t know what to expect when you see the trailer. When I first saw the trailer for A Ghost Story I initially laughed at the classic sheet ghost and then realized they were trying something original using that classic visual. Could this film actually offer up something that stands out as original or will it be a haunting no one cares about?

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A Ghost Story follows a young couple who after being separated by loss discover an eternal connection and a love that is infinite. This film doesn’t offer up a lot of dialogue and mostly allows the visuals to tell the story. Stars Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara both do a great job here, but in reality it’s the actual ghost that carries the story. There is a lot more depth here than you might have expected, but is an acquired taste. Going in you have to understand there is a very artsy approach to it that might put some off, but if you really let it sink in it is a pretty impactful film overall.

 

The pacing is slow by design as it is taking your through a lifetime in a unique way, but it’s the visuals and sound design that really make this movie stand above what it might have been otherwise. I would have never thought the look of the sheet ghost could be so cool, but there was clearly so much thought put into the details and look it stands out as some truly beautifully haunting moments. There is nothing scary here which some might be expecting, instead it takes you on a poignant journey through time that is hit and miss.

 

After first watching it I sat for a minute and wasn’t sure what I really felt about it, but after letting it sink in I realize I truly loved what this film had to say and the visuals of it all. As mentioned before it will not work for everyone, but it is truly an original film. This is another of those that is kind of hard to review without saying much about the story, but you need to go in with a fresh look and decide for yourself. In addition to the film this release also includes a deleted scenes, commentary and featurettes taking you behind bringing this ghost story to life.

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