Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson imbue the paradoxes of performing arts so deeply into their film Ghostlight that it even extends to the title. In a poetic sense, the light stand that illuminates an unpopulated theater isn’t for human eyes. It’s to appease or rebuff spirits, depending on who’s asked. But in a practical sense, the ghost light exists to help the living—mostly to avoid a fate like falling into the orchestra pit and joining the dead.
Life subsumes legend for O’Sullivan and Thompson in a worthy follow-up to their previous collaboration on the small-scale humanist triumph, 2020’s Saint Frances. Their ambition broadens significantly in Ghostlight, though their firm footing in sincerity and simplicity isn’t diminished in the slightest. The creative and life partners deliver a moving apologia for the value of theater by exploring its central contradiction: a performance is an act of honesty,...
Life subsumes legend for O’Sullivan and Thompson in a worthy follow-up to their previous collaboration on the small-scale humanist triumph, 2020’s Saint Frances. Their ambition broadens significantly in Ghostlight, though their firm footing in sincerity and simplicity isn’t diminished in the slightest. The creative and life partners deliver a moving apologia for the value of theater by exploring its central contradiction: a performance is an act of honesty,...
- 6/12/2024
- by Marshall Shaffer
- Slant Magazine
Not many filmmakers can boast a 99 Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes for their small-scale debut, as Alex Thompson earned with 2019’s “Saint Frances.” Fewer still follow up with an even stronger second act.
Thompson co-wrote “Rounding” with his physician brother Christopher, and their psychological freakout is possessed of an almost visionary intensity. He’s described this film as inspired by the B-movie thrillers he watched on TV as a kid, but that significantly undersells its lingering power.
Indeed, the B-movie moments — ominous threats, manifested demons — are the weaker spots in an otherwise taut and terrifying emotional nightmare.
Also Read:
‘Saint Frances’ Film Review: Unhappy Millennial Matures While Caring for Kindergartner in Festival Fave
Namir Smallwood (“American Rust”) is exceptional as James, an ambitious medical resident who falls off the fast track when one of his patients dies. Though his sympathetic mentor urges him to push on, a shell-shocked James insists...
Thompson co-wrote “Rounding” with his physician brother Christopher, and their psychological freakout is possessed of an almost visionary intensity. He’s described this film as inspired by the B-movie thrillers he watched on TV as a kid, but that significantly undersells its lingering power.
Indeed, the B-movie moments — ominous threats, manifested demons — are the weaker spots in an otherwise taut and terrifying emotional nightmare.
Also Read:
‘Saint Frances’ Film Review: Unhappy Millennial Matures While Caring for Kindergartner in Festival Fave
Namir Smallwood (“American Rust”) is exceptional as James, an ambitious medical resident who falls off the fast track when one of his patients dies. Though his sympathetic mentor urges him to push on, a shell-shocked James insists...
- 6/9/2022
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
Shining Girls is leading towards its finale episode this Friday, June 3, and Kirby (Elisabeth Moss) is seeking answers in an exclusive first look at the installment titled, “30.” Following the penultimate entry’s devastating encounter between Harper (Jamie Bell) and Dan (Wagner Moura), it appears that the latter wasn’t able to survive the stab wounds inflicted upon him by the man who travels through time. While visiting the morgue in the clip, above, Kirby speaks to Iris (Hanna Dworkin) about Dan and needing to see his body. “Hi there, how can I help you?” Iris asks when she finds Kirby standing in her office. “Who sent you over?” she further questions. (Credit: Apple TV+) “I came about Dan, I worked with him at the Sun Times,” Kirby explains as Iris acknowledges the man’s accomplishments. As Iris seeks out more information regarding Kirby’s interest in visiting, she asks why Kirby stopped by.
- 6/2/2022
- TV Insider
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