Seeing it for the first time since its theatrical release in 2017, David Lowery’s A Ghost Story is a motion picture that significantly resonated with and deeply impacted me, so much so that I still vividly remember the events of the film seven years later. Perhaps what appealed to me the most was the melancholy, contemplative, and minimalist filmmaking approach Lowery utilized in crafting A Ghost Story. The main allure the picture had on me was strictly from a filmmaking perspective. At the time of the film’s release, my wife and I had only just begun our relationship a few months prior. Much of the meditations of losing a significant other, the longing and love felt by two people presented in A Ghost Story were still foreign to me. Most importantly, the thought of losing a loved one, other than a family member or other close relative, was certainly not one I had contemplated much. Naturally, after seven years of being my wife’s companion and four years of marriage, an immense amount of emotional growth and understanding occurs along with the gaining of new perspectives. Emotional perspectives that were absent and not understood in 2017 are now abundantly clear. After revisiting Lowery’s A Ghost Story after many years, Lowery’s film had moved and spoken to me in such a profound way I was not expecting. Striking a much deeper chord the second time around, A Ghost Story, in essence, beautifully captures the transcendent power of love. Compellingly exploring themes such as death, the grieving process, one’s legacy, the passage of time, and the everlasting power of love, A Ghost Story is cinematic ecstasy. Serene, subtle, and pondering, A Ghost Story is an artistic and timeless filmmaking achievement that still feels fresh and engaging after almost seven years and will remain pure for many more years to come.
Exploring the humanist themes mentioned in A Ghost Story in a simplistic narrative fashion, David Lowery’s grasp of the visual power of cinema permits him to craft a motion picture that is first and foremost a visual and audio experience. Rather than being a film about story and plot, the primary aim of A Ghost Story is to convey feeling and emotion via images and sounds. Creating that effect, Lowery and cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo’s visuals are not quick nor are they flashy. Instead, the cinematography in A Ghost Story consists of slow camera pans and observant and lingering tracking or static shots. Every shot in A Ghost Story has a purpose and meaning that is integral to the heart of the film. With minimal dialogue, we understand that M (played by Rooney Mara) and C (played by Casey Affleck) are a couple in love. The camera meditatively captures them embracing passionately in each other’s warmth, and like most couples, having minor disagreements. The facial expressions and movements, as opposed to words, guide the viewer in understanding M and C’s states of mind as captured by Lowery and Palermo’s camera. After C’s death, the emotions are heightened, particularly M’s. Her longing and grieving for C is apparent as she contemplatively looks out of her and C’s ranch home windows, a home that C felt a deep connection with, as she carefully packs C’s clothes, slowly diminishing his physical existence in the mortal and material world, and as she listens to C’s song while lying on the floor as C stands behind her after his passing. Observing M as she, out of depression attempts to eat an entire pie and attempts to touch and comfort M as she lays on her bed, C’s reactions to M and later the other inhabitants of the ranch home are more physical. Existing in a purgatory-like realm, C passes his time in a timeless void. While his remaining time with M is gentle, his time with other inhabitants after M’s departure changes. Angry at M for leaving, C resorts to playing the role of an actual ghost by attempting to scare off invaders of his home. What we are accustomed to seeing in haunted house movies now becomes reality as C hides in a closet with the door slowly creaking and opening and later violently throws plates and objects from cupboards and shelves. Despite achieving his goal of finally having an empty house, C continues to exist in a timeless realm, one without M.
The cinematography is not the only filmmaking technical component that is brilliantly and beautifully utilized in conveying the mood and tone of A Ghost Story. Editing and lighting are just as essential, aesthetically and emotionally. Despite the picture’s minimalist design, A Ghost Story has somewhat of a dreamlike and ethereal ambiance, particularly after C’s death. The most obvious display is after C emerges as a ghost and is perplexed wandering around the hospital corridors. Unexpectedly recalling an apparition from Poltergeist (1982), a doorway appears as if leading into another dimension. The doorway thereafter slowly closes, perhaps knowing that C’s journey to the afterlife is not yet due. Enhancing the otherworldly feel of the film are images of slow-moving fog and mist as C wanders back to his home and bright sunlight as it shines back on the house and through the windows as either C or M stares longingly out as if guiding them toward something. Existing in an endless time loop spanning centuries from the time of the early pioneers to an unknown future, C embarks on a reflective journey of time until the time of his departure. As opposed to using visual onscreen text to clue the viewer in on the year C now roams around in, the passage of time is subtly marked by C making his way through doors and rooms. One door may lead to another year, while another leads to another century. The endless passage of time is over once C discovers his purpose and legacy, written in the form of a note left behind by M inside a crack in the wall of their home. The contents of the note M left behind are never explained and are left to the viewer’s interpretation. What we do know is that whatever was written on the note, C finally found closure and his search for his purpose was fulfilled.
Incredibly profound, melancholy, meditative, and beautiful, David Lowery’s A Ghost Story is a film that gets better with age. A Ghost Story is not only an artistic and technical achievement but is also a film that explores the intricacies of human emotions, love, longing, and grief. Emotions that only those with pure hearts can feel, the appeal and meaning of A Ghost Story are everlasting. Being only almost seven years old, A Ghost Story is already a timeless motion picture and one of the most unique cinematic experiences. From the technical craftsmanship under Lowery’s direction to the heartbreaking and tender performances by Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck, A Ghost Story is an exquisitely perfect film.
Reel/Musings 