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Ghost

Written by Diana Saenger

If you can overlook a few cheesy moments in Ghost (1990) - one of the most memorable romantic films ever and winner of two Academy Awards - the movie is exceptionally entertaining. And thanks to Paramount Home Entertainment, fans of the film and those who haven't seen it can now enjoy it on Blu-Ray. The story of romance, mystery, and ghostly elements stars Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore.

Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) are a truly romantic couple. They tackle remodeling an ugly loft into a dream home with the same gusto they experience life - all while keeping each other in the center of his/her thoughts. Sam works in the banking business while Molly outfits their home and works on making pottery. Swayze and Moore have a great sexual chemistry in this film and each pull off their various modes of the film with amazing believability. Swayze proves he can be effective without dancing and his comedic scenes - especially when he's irritating Oda Mae while singing course after course of "Henry the Eighth I Am" - are priceless. Moore proves that she can be reverently tender.

One night while returning from an outing, the couple is attacked, and Sam is killed. This would be the end of most stories, but it's actually the beginning of Ghost. It seems Sam has unfinished business to complete and has not yet entered his final resting place. As a ghost who can walk through walls, Sam learns that what he thought was an accidental death was really a murder.

Demi Moore & Tony Goldwyn

He would like to trust that his best friend Carl (Tony Goldwyn) will watch out for Molly but when they doesn't seem to be happening, Sam finds another option. He visits psychic Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg) who he discovers can actually hear him talk.

Sam's ordeal to get Oda Mae to help him is hilarious. Goldberg certainly earned her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Oda Mae has a range of emotions in this film, from angry that Sam won't leave her alone, to funny as she takes on the tasks Sam asks her to do. The scene in the bank where she's dressed up as Rita Miller will leave viewers laughing all the way through it.

Bruce Joel Rubin also deserved his Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Ghost has something for all movie fans - mystery, romance, comedy, music. Okay, there are those silly moments when the weird back figures come down to whisk away the bad dead guys - but that's okay. Also nominated for Academy Awards were Lisa Weinstein for Best Picture, Walter Murch for Best Film Editing and Maurice Jarre for Best Music, Original Score. The song "Unchained Melody" is a major part of the film. It becomes a key component in illustrating the strong love between Sam and Molly but also an element in completing their story.

The Blu-ray version of Ghost is great. The vivid colors intensify all the elements. Sam's red shirt is easy to follow as he glides through trains and wrestles with the exceedingly funny subway ghost (Vincent Schiavelli). Oda Mae's bright pink suit is almost a character on its own as she prisses about in it at the bank. In a movie where visions and special effects are important, high definition is a definite asset in viewing the film and heightening the enjoyment. The high def also enhances the grittiness of New York and the sophisticated remodel of the loft.

The DVD, S.R.P. $39.99 ($49.99 in Canada) includes 1080p High Definition, English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital: Spanish 5.1, French 2.0, English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese Subtitles. The bonus features include several that add extra value to the DVD.

Special Features

Commentary by Director Jerry Zucker and Writer Bruce Joel Rubin - is great to watch after watching the film. It includes Zucker & Rubin talking about their relationships on the film, the effects of cinematographer Adam Greenburg's (Collateral Damage) excellent lighting in so many key scenes, their beliefs about ghosts, how Swayze was a surprise in playing both Sam's strength and vulnerability, about the famous pottery scene and more.

Ghost Stories: The Making of a Classic - Bruce Joel Rubin explains he got the original idea from watching Hamlet and the line "revenge my death." He talks about Moore and how she embodied Molly in strength, purpose and beauty. Zucker comments on doing an abnormal comedy, saying he wouldn't cast Swayze over his dead body, the ultimate amazing chemistry between Moore and Swayze, and how Whoopi launched her role like a rocket ship. Swayze says it was the role of a lifetime, and felt it a real blessing to be part of the film, and why he wouldn't do the role without Whoopi being cast as Oda Mae. Moore talks about her role saying, "for Molly it's about how she feels about the man she loves," and Moore comments how the script was a well-written love story but with a concept that seemed too silly. Zucker and Rubin talk about the Oscar nominations and conflicts on the set.

Inside the Paranormal - several psychics talk about paranormal aspects of their jobs and the film.

Alchemy of a Love Scene - Rubin and Zucker talk about the sexual chemistry of the lead actors, filming certain romance scenes and the added sensual aspects of the clay and pottery scenes. Swayze admits, "the sexiness of the clay really got my juices going."

Cinema's Great Romances - film historians, actors and professors discuss some of the romantic films on AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions list that include Roman Holiday, Love Story, Sabrina, Reds, Ghost, Barefoot in the Park, A Place in the Sun and more.