greatsewing1

After the first 15 minutes of Ghostlight, I had the strangest feeling that this was not a fictitional story, that it had more truth to it than just a script, direction and acting. There is an accumulation of intensity and detail that pulls you into its world, even though that world (and the story) develop at a deliberately unrushed pace, which is unusual for an American film. And while some reviews have wanted a longer film or better editing, I felt after the film ended, that there is nothing I would change. So much of the interaction between the characters is so natural, it feels like it was based on a real incident. This is not an easy film and it has a large share of pain in its unfolding of what is a tragic story. Very well done.

Charming, beautiful friendship story that will delight kids and adults alike. A consistently lovely tone, bosltered by a delicately nuanced score that is as unpredictable as the story itself, keeps the audience involved and intrigued by the development of a simple friendship story. The setting of the 1980's is not apparent at first but clues build up to point to the era. Unfortunately, not every one of those clues is easy to sit through if you lived through 9/11 in NY as I did. But that is a minor point in an otherwise heartfelt and tender film. So many of the scenes look like they could be posters or prints for publishing, it's hard not to love the film.

I was lucky to see this when it was first aired and fortunately at the time, I was addicted to videotaping on VHS dramas worth saving. I saved this and watched that VHS until it finally broke. Now, I am fortunate to be able to watch it for free on Amazon Prime and it holds up wonderfully.

Beautifully directed, sensitively written and magnificent performances add to an overwelming story of government interference, betrayal and emotional upheaval among a group of middle class English folk and their neighbors from overseas.

It is obvious from the delicately nuanced dialogue that this was originally a period piece of a play. It is also obvious that the entirety of the structure is a metaphor of government versus individual, that the concerns of the individual are subjugated to the interests of the state. However, the human scale and drama are drawn powerfully to a climax that is shattering.

Ellen Burstyn gives the performance of her life as the central character torn between reality and lies. And Teri Garr has never been more aptly cast as her best friend, the effervescent neighbor. The supporting cast is rock solid as is this introductory performance by Sammi Davis.

I have watched this at least 20 times in my life and it is an amazing show of subtlety, metaphor and acting. One of the greatest dramas for the tube ever produced.