Ghost
After a young man is murdered, his spirit stays behind to warn his lover of impending danger, with the help of a reluctant psychic.
What critics thought
Ghost landed with mixed critical notices on release but became a massive popular hit — a gap that never quite closed. Critics acknowledged its genre-blending ambition (romance, comedy, horror, mystery all at once) while disagreeing sharply on whether the tonal lurches and sentimental climax were charming or sloppy. The one near-universal verdict: Whoopi Goldberg's performance is the film's saving grace, praised even by reviewers who disliked everything around her.
“a zippy pastiche that somehow manages to seem fresh even though it's built entirely out of borrowed parts”
David Ansen·Newsweek
“an odd creation – at times nearly smothering in arty somberness, at others veering into good, wacky fun”
Variety
“Ms. Goldberg plays the character's amazement, irritation and great gift for back talk to the hilt. This is one of those rare occasions on which the uncategorizable Ms. Goldberg has found a film role that really suits her, and she makes the most of it”
Janet Maslin·The New York Times
“It assumes that even after death we devote most of our attention to unfinished business here on Earth, and that danger to a loved one is more important to a ghost than the infinity it now inhabits”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
Accolades
Genres
Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Cast & Crew
Jerry ZuckerDirector
Patrick SwayzeSam Wheat
Demi MooreMolly Jensen
Whoopi GoldbergOda Mae Brown
Tony GoldwynCarl Bruner
Vincent SchiavelliSubway Ghost
Rick AvilesWillie Lopez
Martina DeignanRose
Rick KleberMover
Phil LeedsEmergency Room Ghost
Armelia McQueenOda Mae's Sister
Gail BoggsOda Mae's Sister
Stephen RootPolice Sgt.
Maurice JarreComposer
Bruce Joel RubinWriter
Adam GreenbergCinematographyGhost
After a young man is murdered, his spirit stays behind to warn his lover of impending danger, with the help of a reluctant psychic.
What critics thought
Ghost landed with mixed critical notices on release but became a massive popular hit — a gap that never quite closed. Critics acknowledged its genre-blending ambition (romance, comedy, horror, mystery all at once) while disagreeing sharply on whether the tonal lurches and sentimental climax were charming or sloppy. The one near-universal verdict: Whoopi Goldberg's performance is the film's saving grace, praised even by reviewers who disliked everything around her.
“a zippy pastiche that somehow manages to seem fresh even though it's built entirely out of borrowed parts”
David Ansen·Newsweek
“an odd creation – at times nearly smothering in arty somberness, at others veering into good, wacky fun”
Variety
“Ms. Goldberg plays the character's amazement, irritation and great gift for back talk to the hilt. This is one of those rare occasions on which the uncategorizable Ms. Goldberg has found a film role that really suits her, and she makes the most of it”
Janet Maslin·The New York Times
“It assumes that even after death we devote most of our attention to unfinished business here on Earth, and that danger to a loved one is more important to a ghost than the infinity it now inhabits”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
Accolades
Genres
Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Cast & Crew
Jerry ZuckerDirectorPatrick SwayzeSam WheatDemi MooreMolly JensenWhoopi GoldbergOda Mae BrownTony GoldwynCarl BrunerVincent SchiavelliSubway GhostRick AvilesWillie LopezMartina DeignanRoseRick KleberMoverPhil LeedsEmergency Room GhostArmelia McQueenOda Mae's SisterGail BoggsOda Mae's SisterStephen RootPolice Sgt.Maurice JarreComposerBruce Joel RubinWriterAdam GreenbergCinematography