A unique approach to love and loss A Ghost Story - Minimalist storytelling with a haunting score. It's not a movie you and your buddies catch on a whim. This is one you prepare to see.
The film is presented in an almost square 4:3 aspect ratio, making it feel like you're watching this couple's home movies, and experiencing their memories right alongside them. It was a little odd seeing it in the trailers, and I wondered if they would really do it for the feature itself, but I honestly couldn't picture seeing this any other way.
We've had some excellent scores and soundtracks so far this year, as it seems I bring that topic up quite often. Up until now, however, I've only had one choice for best original song, that being 'For Evermore' from the live-action Beauty and the Beast. I'll have to do more research, but if it's eligible, 'I Get Overwhelmed' by Dark Rooms is now the one I'm rooting for. It's beautiful in its own right, but it's used just perfectly in helping to enhance the story. Please have a listen.
This might have the fewest lines of any movie I've seen so far this year. In the heart of the film, however, there is a monologue given by a side character played by no one in particular. He touches on the importance, and the insignificance, of personal legacy. It's a dichotomy that is perfectly captured.
In the first act of the film there are multiple lingering shots. It gets to the point where it's just awkward how the scene isn't progressing. The ultimate example is a scene of Rooney Mara eating a pie for over 5 minutes. Yes there's emotion there, but surely there's a more concise way to portray that. The runtime is already a slim 90 minutes, but it could have been trimmed down even more.
A24, the young production company behind this film, has been absolutely killing it. In their 5 year tenure they've put out wholly unique stories the likes of Tusk, Ex Machina, Room, The Witch, The Lobster, Swiss Army Man, It Comes at Night, and 2016's Moonlight, which nabbed Best Picture. These run the gamut of genres, making them all the more impressive. You could of course try to sell me on an interesting storyline, a talented cast, or a marquee director, but if you just told me there was a new A24 film set to release? 'Nuff said. 8/10.