“Ghostlight” is anchored by stellar performances

I was in exactly one play in elementary school. I don't remember what it was, but I had no lines and can't even remember what part I played. I want to say it was someone who does/doesn't adopt one of the orphans in the play (even then, I am not sure). Anyway, I have always had a massive respect for theater performers.

In "Ghostlight," a construction worker (Keith Kupferer) joins a local theater group's production of Romeo and Juliet.

This movie floored me. My one gripe would be a spoiler, so I'll not mention it here, but just know it was not enough to diminish the power of the movie or the performances.

The family at the center of this movie is still recovering from a tragedy that profoundly impacts them, and they each deal with it differently. Dan (Kupferer) bottles it up and plays the part of the strong one; his wife Sharron (Tara Mallen) is the one really keeping the family together, and Daisy (Kathrine Mallen Kepferer) lashes out at the world. You might notice that all those names you read have similar last names. They are real-life dad, mom, and daughter, which works perfectly with this movie. They have this established relationship, so it did not feel forced.

Dan and Daisy get the most to do, and both Kepferers are incredible. Daisy suspects her dad is cheating when she sees him with a woman from the play, so she follows him one day and gets involved with the production. This is her chance to connect with her father again after what happened.

This is a character piece at its core, and I love those as much as anything released in theaters every week. I would put it up there with "Booksmart," "Short Term 12," or "The Flordia Project," which I keep thinking about years after seeing them.

“Ghostlight: is available to rent on digitaL now.

9/10

Rated R for language

1h 55min