‘Ghostlight’ is a Touching Story
Dolly De Leon and Keith Kupferer in Ghostlight | Credit: IFC Films
A construction worker accidentally joins a community production of Romeo and Juliet and his life is completely changed.
Ghostlight has such an interesting premise. Dan (Keith Kupferer) is a construction worker who is dealing with a lot. He has a lot of pent-up anger and he’s going through a very difficult time. Throughout the course of the film, we learn the specifics of what he and his family have endured, but it’s done slowly over time. Initially, we just see his actions and can tell that there’s a lot going on beneath the surface.
Dan eventually is welcomed into a community theater group that is preparing for their performance of Romeo and Juliet. Dan doesn’t fit in at first. He is emotionally repressed and struggles to connect with others and the material of the play. As they continue rehearsing, Dan begins to open up, revealing more of his personality and his past in the process.
I was really touched by this film’s emphasis on belonging and community. At the beginning of the film, Dan is rather isolated. But as he continues going to rehearsals, he begins to connect with others more easily. The community theater group creates a safe space where Dan is welcomed — even with his big, uncomfortable feelings. And that sense of belonging gives him the space to confront the difficult parts of life that he has been trying to forget.
In a time when so many people feel isolated and alone, it’s wonderful to see that sense of community playing out on screen.
Keith Kupferer in Ghostlight | Credit: IFC Films
Ghostlight is structured really intentionally to keep you wondering about the events that have affected Dan and his family so deeply. At first, the film just throws you into the middle of their lives. We don’t know anything about these people or what they’re going through, but we see the effects of a past tragedy.
Little by little, throughout the story, we collect tidbits of information and start to fill in the gaps. We don’t know all of the details of what has happened until the very end when all of the pieces finally come together.
Throughout the film, a consistent pattern emerges that highlights the importance of recognizing emotions, which is something Dan really struggles with. We often see the emotional effects of something before we know any details. We see a character’s reaction to an event first, and it’s only afterward that we learn the context of why they responded that way.
This feels so much more true to life. And in a movie that deals with things like grief and tragedy, I think this approach is really brilliant.
Keith Kupferer and Katherine Mallen Kupferer in Ghostlight | Credit: IFC Films
Ghostlight is a really tender film. It has such empathy for the protagonists and handles difficult situations with nuance and care. We meet a group of people who are dealing with grief and trauma and struggling, but the film doesn’t sensationalize what they’re going through.
Though the film deals with so many really weighty and emotional topics, it’s also really hilarious at times. Dan learning how to be part of this community theater group is so much fun. He’s such a fish out of water, which leads to some really great moments. And the community theater troupe is filled with so many fun and quirky people that I just wanted to keep spending time with.
Ghostlight is such a human film that covers so many relatable and important topics in an entertaining way. It has characters that feel so relatable that you just want to root for them.
This is a heartfelt film that I hope more people will seek out; it’s definitely worth it.