A Ghost Story (2017)

Director: David Lowery 
Stars: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara
Runtime: 92 minutes

Synopsis: In this singular exploration of legacy, love, loss, and the enormity of existence, a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to try to reconnect with his bereft wife.

Verdict: An ungodly amount of my time is spent at my desk, at home. It’s the place where I get my work done during the day and the place where I escape to my little world of movies in the evening. Right in front of me, two pictures that I constantly glance at are hung: a photograph of my late grandfather holding a younger and unrecognizable version of myself, and a polaroid taken decades later on a night out with some friends. While one holds a much greater emotional significance to me, they both serve the same purpose of capturing a memory I’m not quite ready to let go of just yet.

David Lowery’s “A Ghost Story” is a meditative exercise comparable to staring at a moving polaroid for an hour an half. Shot in a distinctive 4:3 aspect ratio that is accompanied by a somber, silent tone, it follows a ghost stuck in the realm of the living, cursed by his refusal to surrender the house he shared with his wife. It’s a cosmic supernatural drama that is guaranteed to make your head spin due to its countless (and one could argue pointless) jumps in time, but one that will leave you contemplating heavy themes such as grief, attachment, or legacy.

With an uninterrupted scene that shows Rooney Mara’s character eating a pie for about 6 minutes, it would be safe to assume that the movie is not tailored for everybody. It’s a unique experience that defies the laws of filmmaking at its best, but also one that I thought lost some of its poetic edge in its second half, which felt more like a rushed PhD thesis written by the same obnoxious person who dumped a whole lot of exposition on the audience in that party scene that featured a cameo by Kesha.

“A Ghost Story” is a testament to David Lowery’s talent behind the camera. It’s a metaphysical journey that goes deep into the uncharted territories of the afterlife, leaving a good chunk of the audience slightly confused, but satisfied with the way he guides us through it.

FINAL GRADE: 7/10