Ghostlight

I actually had Ghostlight on my schedule at Sundance this year but I ended up going to a different movie at the last minute.  I kind of regret that decision because so many people that I spoke to while in line recommended it.  Luckily it is now playing at the Broadway so I got to see it last night.  I absolutely loved this incredibly moving look at the healing power of art.  Dan (Keith Kupferer), his wife Sharon (Tara Mallen), and his daughter Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) are grieving the recent suicide of their son and brother Brian.  However, there is conflict within the family because Dan refuses to acknowledge his feelings.  Sharon is exhausted from dealing with the wrongful death suit they have filed against their son's ex-girlfriend, Daisy has started acting up in school, and Dan has an altercation with a rude motorist at his job on a road construction crew.  A woman named Rita (Dolly de Leon) witnesses this altercation and invites Dan to be a part of her community theatre group's production of Romeo and Juliet because she thinks it will help him to be someone else for a while.  At first he is resistant but he keeps going to rehearsals and is soon cast as Romeo.  This revives Daisy's interest in theatre and she also joins the company as Mercutio.  His performance as Romeo allows him to finally give vent to all of the feelings of grief he has been repressing and his analysis of Romeo's motivation helps him to understand what drove his son to suicide and to forgive the person he holds responsible.  He is also able to connect with his daughter through their shared experience on stage and with his wife as an audience member witnessing his catharsis.  Kupferer and Mallen are a real-life couple and Katherine is their daughter which gives an authenticity to their brilliant and emotionally complex performances as a family dealing with a tragedy.  I teared up quite a few times but there are also some really funny and lighthearted moments as the company rehearses Romeo and Juliet that made me laugh out loud (if you have ever acted in a school or community production you will definitely enjoy this because it is such a love letter to theatre).  I loved the blending of reality and fantasy as the plot of Romeo and Juliet slowly reveals the circumstances of Brian's death and, as a theatre nerd, I also loved the actual performance of the play.  I am so happy that I finally had a chance to see this and I highly recommend it!