[CINEPOCALYPSE 2018] ‘CLARA’S GHOST’ Review

Bridey Elliott’s a rare talent that has yet to be fully taken advantage of. I was first exposed to her with a quirky, dry indie Fort Tilden, that showcased her dark, awkward, deadpan gift. Now Bridey has pulled off the impressive triple-threat of writing, directing, and staring in the supernatural-tinged, dark comedy Clara’s Ghost, and she brought along her whole immediate family. In the film, Clara (Paula Niedert Elliott), Ted (Chris Elliott), Julie (Abby Elliott), and Riley (Bridey Elliott) are the Reynolds family, a self absorbed clan of actors who are, presumably, caricatures of their real person. Riley and Julie are coming home to celebrate their dog’s birthday. Maybe it’s out of a psychological complex, maybe it’s real, but Clara seeks solace from her rotten family’s gathering with a ghost named Adelia (Isidora Goreshter). Along with family friend Joe (Haley Joel Osment), the celebratory night of dinner and excessive drinking unravels the Reynolds clan into their most primal, cruel versions, all the while Clara’s possession/cracked psyche is putting the whole family in unknown danger.

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This seems like an absurd reason for a family gathering, celebrating a pet’s birthday of all things, but that’s what Bridey is going for here. This feels like a reality TV show without cutting to talking head interviews, leaving you to sit with this uncomfortable band of assholes. Clearly poking fun at her own family’s celebrity status and exaggerated complexes, Bridey infuses the bizarre evening with another level of crazy in that Clara is either losing her mind or under the control of a malevolent spirit. Things never ramp up to a level of frightening, but there’s definite tension in the growing discomfort. Bridey’s skill, and what makes the movie the most interesting, is that there’s an actual family chemistry and dynamic at play which is tweaked and turned up a level for entertainment. Does it work as a whole? No. The movie is disjointed and long winded without the inevitable, violent disaster that should end the movie. That’s not where Bridey wanted to take the movie, even when that’s absolutely where it should have gone. The problem is that there’s no resolve to the conflict, really. Not necessarily a bad thing but, again, that’s what I really wanted.

This is a micro-budget feature that was shot in their actual house (which is lovely), and I love the cast a bunch. Characterization is strong in a darkly comedic way, and there’s a smart, self aware quality that I really appreciate. There are elements of Clara’s Ghost that really worked for me, but ultimately lost me in the end. I still think Bridey is a tremendous talent, and one to watch. If you like your comedy mean and dark, I’d recommend checking out the movie for yourself to see if it works for you.

Good news! In addition to playing at Cinepocalypse 2018, Clara’s Ghost has been picked up by MGM’s Orion Classics banner for distribution later this year!