Ghost (1990)

The critic praises the film's massive UK box office success and irresistible mix of elements that avoid sentimentality while delivering emotional impact. Whoopi Goldberg's performance and Demi Moore's emotional scenes are singled out as standout features in this universal love story.

Zucker packages the essence of romantic yearning cannily through a luxurious setting and sensual scenes, with strong support from Moore, Goldberg and others giving the film needed energy and vinegar. The script has woolly-mindedness and the production can feel prettified or sticky, with Swayze miscast as a banker.

The film mixes horror, humor and romantic yearning effectively in places but relies on an idiot plot with slow-to-believe characters and some overly sentimental or ridiculous elements. It succeeds at times in evoking mysteries of the afterlife, particularly in scenes involving Goldberg's medium and the lovers' connection.

This lightweight romantic fantasy is an odd grab bag of styles that teeters between arty somberness and wacky fun, delivering crowd-pleasing elements once Goldberg brings laughs and energy. It takes time to unfold and features mostly tearful Moore alongside Swayze's ghostly exploration.

The critic finds the blend of the sentimental with the supernatural very touching, with special effects a real treat and a wonderfully schmaltzy ending. Whoopi Goldberg's performance is highlighted for providing comic moments.

The critic praises the film's fresh approach to the afterlife and artful script as an auspicious solo debut for director Jerry Zucker. Whoopi Goldberg's performance is singled out as perfectly cast and lending emotional depth.

The review credits an excellent script by Bruce Joel Rubin and Jerry Zucker's surprisingly sure direction for turning a minor mystic romance into one of the most enjoyable movies of the year. Whoopi Goldberg is praised for hamming it up gloriously.