Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 14, 1990 TAG: 9007140325
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS GLADDEN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But director Jerry Zucker seems to have so much faith in his story that the movie is ultimately hard to resist even when it loses credibility by not following the rules it sets up.
Patrick Swayze has traded in his dancing togs for a power suit this time out, playing investment banker Sam Wheat. Sam is Mr. Wonderful, a good-hearted and sensitive guy and successful too.
Demi Moore plays his girlfriend, Molly Jensen. Molly is a sculptor and she and Sam have just moved into the tastefully appointed loft that they have renovated. Life is just peachy for the couple, so much so that Sam worries about his bubble bursting. With good reason.
On their way home from the theater, an apparent mugger shoots and kills Sam. His spirit - visible to the audience but not to the other characters in the movie - is left trapped on earth. As Sam lingers in the loft, he's made aware that his killing isn't as random as it at first seemed and that Molly may also be in danger.
To solve the crime and help his girl, he enlists the reluctant aid of a con artist posing as a psychic who actually turns out to have paranormal powers. Her name's Oda Mae Brown and she's played by Whoopi Goldberg, who is an unapologetic ham but still funny.
"Ghost" is directed by Jerry Zucker from a script by Bruce Joel Rubin. It marks a real change of pace for Zucker who is one of the three partners responsible for such zany comedies as "Airplane" and "The Naked Gun."
His inclination toward comedy is still apparent, particularly in the Goldberg scenes. To force her to cooperate, Sam at one point sings Herman's Hermits' obnoxious hit "Henry the Eighth" over and over.
But Zucker also shows an affinity for the intensely romantic, emphasizing the sense of loss both from Molly's and Sam's viewpoint. Sometimes its touching; at other times, such as when Zucker points the tune "Unchained Melody" at our tear ducts, it's too much. This is an either-or movie, seldom touching and humorous at the same time.
There are other problems as well. Why can Sam - and the other ghosts who inhabit the earth - go through walls but still fall down on floors? Why is Sam visible to audiences sometimes but not when he's bashing the villains? The answer, of course, is to let the audience revel in the bad guys' horrified wonderment. But it's a technique that - along with the uninspired special effects - doesn't help audiences suspend disbelief.
Still, "Ghost" is an entertaining movie with enough surprises tucked into the predictable plot to sustain interest. Swayze and Moore pour themselves into their roles, making the plight of Sam and Molly believably poignant.
It may have some flaws, but you can't fault the movie's spirit.
`Ghost' A Paramount picture at Valley View Mall 6 (362-8219) and Salem Valley 8 (389-0444). Rated R for violence, language and sexual content. Two hours and 10 minutes.
by CNB