Summary"Blithe Spirit" is a 2020 British-American comedy-drama film directed by Edward Hall and is a revival of a 1941 play written by Noël Coward. The movie includes Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher, Leslie Mann, Emilia Fox, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Adil Ray, and Judi Dench as the key players and was launched in the United Kingdom in December 2020 after at first being premiered in September at the Mill Valley Film Festival.
Plot SynopsisIn "Blithe Spirit", Dan Stevens plays Charles Condomine, an effective yet struggling novelist suffering from writer's block. He pens screenplays while grieving his late spouse, Elvira (Leslie Mann), however is finding it hard to complete his newest job. In despair, he relies on spiritualist Madame Arcati (Judi Dench), hoping that her expected powers will help him tap into the metaphysical and unblock his creativity.
Throughout an atmosphere-laden séance, Madame Arcati unintentionally summons Charles' deceased other half Elvira, who just Charles can see. At first, he delights in the renewed companionship of his ghostly partner, hoping she can assist him with his current movie script about a homicidal ballet dancer, a character based on Elvira herself. However, it's not long before Elvira's playful, naughty side starts to intervene in his present life and wreak havoc on his relationship with his existing better half, Ruth (Isla Fisher).
Conflict and ResolutionAs Elvira created chaos in Charles' life, Ruth thinks her hubby has lost his mind due to tension, unaware of Elvira's presence. The tension escalates between the trio, endangering Charles' peace of mind, his relationship with Ruth, and finishing his work. In a climax filled with colorful visual and situational funny, the characters who can't exist together in the very same world initiate a sequence of occasions leading to unexpected fatalities and revelations.
Ruth gets killed mistakenly due to Elvira's mischief, and subsequently, Charles loses his peace of mind, experiencing 2 ghost other halves instead of one. Ultimately, Charles chooses to take matters into his own hands; he tries to kill himself to join his other halves in the afterlife and leave his demanding earthly existence.
The final twist exposes Madame Arcati learnt about Elvira's reappearance all along and was utilizing Charles' situation to prove the existence of an afterlife. In the end, Charles does not die but is rendered unconscious and gets up to discover both ghostly better halves have actually vanished. The film concludes as he begins composing an unique about his supernatural experience.
Important Reception"Blithe Spirit" met blended reactions from the audience and critics. While some praised the film's artistic mix of funny, romance, and drama, others feel it fell short in carrying out the witty comedy and appeal of Noël Coward's initial play. However, the majority of concur that the efficiencies, especially of Judi Dench, brought character to the movie amidst its sprawling story and dynamic sets, making it worth a look for fans of classic funny and supernatural drama.
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