Think of your favorite romance movie, your favorite comedy, and your favorite supernatural movie. Three separate movies, right? What if I told you that the 1990 critically acclaimed hit "Ghost" is all those movies and more?
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"Ghost" manages to blend romance, comedy, and action all in one mega blockbuster flick. I'm still not sure what one genre I would use to categorize this movie. I guess it's naturally a drama but you could easily describe it as a sweet, spiritual, romantic, comedic thriller. I personally value "Ghost" primarily as a love story and it's the most original romance movie I've ever seen.
The Plot
I'll do my best not to spoil anything. "Ghost" is a relatively straightforward love story that steers away from cliche mushy gushy bubbly crap territory by adding supernatural twists, thrills, and comedic relief. Patrick Swayze plays Sam Wheat, a New York banker totally in love (though he won't verbally admit it) with his girlfriend, Molly Jensen, played by Demi Moore. After a staged killing, Sam dies trying to protect Molly. Only instead of completely leaving, Sam's spirit stays on Earth where he is able to just partially interact with the real world. People can't see, touch, or hear him with the exception of Oda Mae Brown, a local psychic played by the talented Oscar-winning Whoopie Goldberg, who can only hear and talk to Sam. Sam Wheat has in fact turned into a ghost, hence the movie title. With the help of Oda Mae's psychic powers, Sam uncovers the reason behind his death as he races to save his girlfriend from the killer behind his own death!
My First Time Watching Ghost
I believe that watching one of your favorite movies should be a captivating experience, a story you can tell over and over again.
I saw "Ghost" when I was 15, back when Ghost was only 20 years old. I was scrolling through OnDemand when I noticed the OnDemand lady was talking about "Ghost" as clips from the movie were being played in the background. My mom had just entered the room. "Oh no, close your eyes!" she called to me. "Don't watch this, this is 'Ghost'! Change the channel!" "Geeze, Mama, what's the big deal?" I thought to myself. She told me she wanted me to see it from the beginning.
I remember my mama mentioning "Ghost" once or twice every few years or so, but when I was younger and inquired about it being a horror film she said it's a romance film and that I wouldn't like it. With a title like "Ghost," I'm sure you all would think it's a horror film too, right? The movie "Alien" isn't about a guy who transforms into an alien to make love to his partner! It's about a vicious alien slaughtering people on board a spacecraft! But I digress...this was one of those few movies my mother turned me on to.
So yes, I saw the famous pottery scene with my mother.
Love Scenes
One of the best aspects of this film that make it an original romance movie is the filming of the love scenes. These aren't just the sexy scenes of Swayze and Moore making out, but the manner in which other scenes unfold where their characters are talking to each other. These love scenes are slow and sensual, the way love in real life is. Love scenes should take their time to develop. Practically every other romance movie I've seen underplays the realism of love and rushes through these kinds of scenes. In conversational scenes, the actors pause and look each other in the eye, look down, look away, whisper, and do other subtle details that add true depth to both the characters and the realistic love connection. By placing such a strong emphasis on the love scenes having to be great, director Jerry Zucker allows the audience to be moved and touched emotionally with ease.
Swayze would later say that the pottery scene was the sexiest thing he's ever done on screen.
The Soundtrack
Could they have picked a better song than the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody"? When you pair that soundtrack with strings and other beautiful instruments I'm having trouble detecting at the moment, with the gradual pace of lovemaking, the result is a touching, endearing sensation few movies can offer. This song evokes so much emotion!
I mean, only the coldest soul doesn't tear up at this ending!
Casting (SPOILER WARNING)
The casting for this movie is very interesting to say the least.
I had heard of the name Patrick Swayze but I never knew what he was known for. His biggest two movies ended up being "Ghost" and "Dirty Dancing," a dance flick that's not nearly as good as "Ghost" (I don't care what they say). He didn't agree to do "Ghost" unless Whoopie Goldberg was also cast. Whoopie has always given credit to Swayze because without him she wouldn't have won her Oscar for best supporting actress. Swayze admitted that it was difficult to play Sam Wheat because he had to do so much observing rather than be part of the action. He showed good restraint.
Having said that, Swayze is not a terrific actor by any means but he is just solid enough to attract the ladies in his movies.
Demi Moore hasn't been in a good movie since "A Few Good Men" and is pretty much irrelevant today with the exception that she once dated Ashton Kutcher, who's like half her age. She's got a cute tomboy look in "Ghost" and conveys the appropriate attitude and toughness needed for her character.
Whoopie Goldberg is the one who steals the show for me. She provides the laughs and zeal necessary for carrying this film. Her scenes are very funny, especially the one where she must hand a check for four million dollars to a couple of nuns but she would rather keep the money, or the one where she first discovers that she is hearing Sam's voice.
Tony Goldwyn plays Carl, the traitor in this movie. He's not super well known. I know him as playing the voice of Disney's "Tarzan" and playing the father in "Divergent" but that's about it. He does a nice job playing the sneaky bad guy and pulls off the role of the backstabbing friend wonderfully too.
Rick Aviles plays Willie Lopez, the actual killer who teams up with Carl. He was absolutely believable as the other antagonist.
Vincent Schiavelli plays the Subway Ghost, a vital character who mentors Sam on how to exploit his ghostly powers and disrupt the real world.
The Director
Even more interesting than the casting is the director of "Ghost." Jerry Zucker, known for his screwball comedies "Airplane" and "The Naked Gun" movies, wanted to try directing a different kind of movie. You can sometimes tell that Zucker is the director because of the funny scenes. These scenes involve Whoopie every time. Zucker would reunite with Whoopie when they filmed "Rat Race," another comedy in Zucker's repertoire. This was a daring task for a director only associated with farces. It payed off big time.
Zucker would later say that "Ghost" was his favorite movie he's ever directed.
Concluding Thoughts
"Ghost" managed to rack in over $200,000 domestically and became an instant hit. This film makes me laugh and it makes me cry. I have to give credit to screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin for writing such a lovely story. I also want to give a shout out to my mother, Susanna Sullivan, for introducing me to "Ghost" in the first place.
It's sad that three of the actors I mentioned have already left us. Patrick Swayze passed away from cancer in 2009 at the age of 57. It's eerie that Vincent Schiavelli also passed away in 2005 from cancer at 57. Rick Aviles died from a heroin overdose just five years after the release of "Ghost." He was 42. I'd like to think that these actors went to Heaven like Sam Wheat did in the film. I thank them for being a part of this beautiful picture.
I suppose if there's one thing "Ghost" preaches to us, it's to tell someone you love them before it's too late. Saying that can do a lot for someone.
"It's amazing, Molly. The love inside. Take it with you." That's true that the one thing we can always hold onto from those lost is the love inside.
