GHOST (1990) C widescreen 128m dir: Jerry Zucker

w/Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Rick Aviles, Gail Boggs, Armelia McQueen, Vincent Schiavelli

From The Movie Guide: "A big sweet hit, tingly and glycerined in a phony way, but diverting. This sometimes spooky mystery-thriller-comedy-fantasy-romance focuses on loved ones who die suddenly, only to linger in spirit form, helping the mortals they have left behind. Specifically, when have-it-all yuppies Sam and Molly (Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore) are held up, sentimental bank executive Swayze gets shot. But he finally figures out --- we've seen smarter ghosts in 'Casper' cartoons --- that vulnerable, adorable Moore is in danger from his corrupt co-worker (Tony Goldwyn). He solicits fake medium Goldberg to help him communicate, and she discovers she's a bonafide psychic after all.

"GHOST manages to work despite the constant distractions of writer Bruce Joel Rubin's mishmash screenplay and Jerry Zucker's uneven direction. Zucker makes his solo debut here after co-directing AIRPLANE!, TOP SECRET, and RUTHLESS PEOPLE with brother David Zucker and Jim Abrahams. His work here isn't the embarrassment that often results when a comedy director turns serious; on the contrary, Zucker shows great potential. But instead of packing GHOST with every possible gag --- the hallmark of his comedy collaborations --- he fills it with an array of clashing movie styles that never harmonize into a compelling whole.

"Still, viewers will find it hard not to reach for their hankies at the moment that Sam reveals himself in spirit form to Molly, proving that, however cluttered with extraneous characters and subplots, the theme of romantic love reaching beyond the grave, and into eternity, remains potent and pure as a cinematic conceit. Or maybe what makes this movie so appealing are all of those romantic notions plus a shirtless Patrick Swayze and a nude Demi Moore."

GHOST won two Oscars: Best Supporting Actress (Goldberg) and Original Screenplay (Rubin). It was also nominated for Best Picture, Editing (Walter Murch), and Score (Maurice Jarre).