Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan’s moving, gently comic collaboration is about the power of live theatre to make sense of our offstage dramas and personal narratives. Ghostlight centers on Dan (Keith Kupferer), a melancholic, middle-aged construction worker grieving a family tragedy.
Cut off from his devoted wife, Sharon (Tara Mallen), and talented but troubled daughter, Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer), Dan finds comfort and community in a misfit company of amateur actors.
While Dan commits more time to the theatrical production, and is cast as Romeo, he is put on mandatory leave at his job and lies to his family about his whereabouts. Daisy follows him to the theatre, discovers the truth, and quickly bonds with the cast. When they arrive home, Sharon, having learned from Dan’s coworker that he is on leave, accuses him of infidelity, forcing him to admit the truth. Moved by his talent, Sharon allows the cast to perform in the school’s gym, and they decide to make the play a one-night event with Daisy cast as Mercutio.
While moonlighting in this low-rent production of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Dan is forced to confront his buried emotions.
Real-life family, Mallen, Kupferer and Mallen Kupferer, bring tenderness and authenticity to this poignant portrait, while Dolly de Leon – last seen stealing the scene in Triangle of Sadness – is hilarious as Dan’s irascible, improbable co-star. After premiering at Sundance this year, Ghostlight has impressed audiences and critics alike with its touching and gently comic tale of the healing power of art. With 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and a high placing on Letterboxd’s top ten films of the year, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Ghostlight screens at Palace Cinemas this week – palacecinemas.com.au.
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