Shadow Play

If you have ever suffered a loss you may find this to be an intriguing film.

I saw this film shortly after I lost my mother to a tragic accident; although this was sometime ago, the line in the film ..."you will not leave until you are ready, the spirit has unfinished business"... has a certain resonance for anyone who has experienced the tragedy of accidental death or suicide.

This was one of those small films on cable in the late 80's; sometimes they were good; sometimes not; it was a mixed bag, but this is a film I have remembered from quite a long time ago. It has a certain cadence.

It is ethereal, and reminiscent of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"; Dee Wallace is very good, and I am pleased to learn that she still has an active career. This is a film worth renting (if you can find it). A shame they don't show this on cable anymore. 9/10.

"Shadow Play" is mostly a corny movie, but it's still pretty enjoyable. Dee Wallace -- Elliot's mom in "E.T." -- plays a playwright who returns to Orcas Island, Washington, near where her lover lost his life some years earlier...but did he totally go away? And what role does the island's lighthouse play? The movie isn't exactly frightening. It's more about the woman's almost fanatical obsession with her lover. And besides, we get to see some great shots of the Puget Sound (if you've never been to the San Juan Islands, you should definitely go there). It's basically the sort of movie that you rent if you want to pass time. But don't get me wrong, it's still pretty fun. Also starring Cloris Leachman.

I had no expectations when I saw this film. I knew absolutely nothing about it. The theater didn't even have a poster and none of the staff had seen it. The opening scene shows a dark, windswept lighthouse. I thought, "oh no. probably a stupid, low budget, horror film." On the contrary this is an intelligent and thoughtful film. There is poetry read during the film that mirrors much of the action. I judge a film by how long it sticks with me afterward. This film has stayed in my head a very long time.

The characters and writing are pretty poor. Dialog is unrealistic. Besides films about ghosts are lame. The wizard character has this lame line that goes like: "The bow is bent, the arrow flies." Pretty bad. This Shadburn woman must really think she is a great writer to put out crap like that. I'd say watch this film but turn off the audio and put in your own dialog. It seems to work better. Also the character of Morgan screams throughout this film and makes the whole experience into a torturous ordeal.

If you want to see a great ghost story, then I suggest renting the classic with Deborah Kerr "The Innocents." Good movie with disturbing images.

Though billed as a horror film or mystery, Shadow Play is much heavier on the drama which would be fine if the drama itself had an urgency to it, but it just goes from scene to scene with no tension or escalation in the stakes. At first, it lulls you into thinking it'll be a slow burning, but competent thriller that's leading up to an exciting final act, but that never happens.

The acting is good, but then again, when have Dee Wallace or Cloris Leachman ever disappointed in that arena? The film is also well shot with some very nice images here and there, but it doesn't add up to much when the story is so lacking.