Ghostlight (2024)

Dan isn't doing well. He's unfocused and short-tempered at work, has no idea what to do about his daughter's defiance and problems at school, and is struggling to connect with his wife. There's obviously been some trauma in their family, but we're not immediately clued-in to what that is. When he gets curious about the community theater group practicing in a strip mall near his work site, he gets strong-armed by the tiny but forceful director into helping them out.

Though I could often see the acting happening, I was charmed nonetheless and the tears I shed were honest rather than feeling manipulated out of me. I believe in the power of art to heal and this film does too.

B