Directed by Edward Hall
Written by Piers Ashworth, Meg Leonard, Nick Moorcroft, based on the play by Noël Coward
Starring Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher, Leslie Mann and Judi Dench
Running time 1 hour and 35 minutes
MPAA Rating  PG-13 for suggestive references and some drug material
In select theaters, available digitally and on demand February 19

by Rosalie Kicks, Editor-in-Chief, Old Sport

“You’re not the dying type.”

I think it would be a blast to be a ghost, so long as my requests for the great beyond are met.

Do you have a wish list for the afterlife? NO?! Well, you should, dearie. This is not something that one wants to leave until the moment they find themselves pushing up daisies. There needs to be a plan. As a ghost, I want to haunt in a place of comfort, with a nice view and lush accommodations. A place by the sea would be quite fine and I want to wear gloves… have access to a cane. Unfortunately, even with the most intricate of blueprints, one can still have the rug ripped out from underneath them. Sometimes, despite having a pre-burial strategy, there are times when, much like Elviria (Leslie Mann) in Blithe Spirit, one can find themselves summoned.

Blithe Spirit started as a stage play from 1941 written by Noël Coward and  was later adapted into a film directed by David Lean in 1945 starring Rex Harrison as Charles, Constance Cummings as Ruth and Kay Hammond as Elvira. Since then, the story has found its way to television, radio and has been novelized. I have seen the Lean version and found Hall’s colorful rendition to have a number of similarities in terms of story, as well as a comedic approach, without just being a rehash.

Set in England, 1937, Edward Hall (most notably known for Downton Abbey) presents Charles (Dan Stevens) as a crime fiction author who is a newly minted screenwriter. In first meeting Charles, it is realized he is suffering from writer’s block and is alleviating his stress with libations. He has a lot riding on this promised script, as he was given the opportunity from his wife’s, Ruth (Isla Fisher), big wig film producer father. 

With a lack of ideas flowing, Charles is looking for inspiration anywhere he can get it. After attending a performance of the spiritualist, Madame Arcati (Judi Dench) that goes dreadfully amuck for the entertainer, Charles approaches her with an invitation to his home to conduct a seance. His intentions are presented somewhat honorably, but in reality his main goal is to use the flim flam show Arcati performs as research for his screenplay. To the surprise of everyone a charlatan, Madame Arcati, is not. For, during the session, she inevitably conjures up Charles's deceased, previous wife, the snarky, yet sophisticated, Elviria. Of course, Elvira’s return causes many problems for the now married, Charles and Ruth. In turn, Ruth makes it a priority to send Elvira back from which she came, at any cost.

For me, much like in the 1945 version, when the poltergeist makes an appearance, I knew I was in for a good time. In both films, with the entrance of Elviria, the story picks up speed. I adore the banter between Rex and the green tinted Hammond in Lean’s film and, to my surprise, it did not take too long for me to find fondness with Stevens and Mann. In fact, I found the two quite entertaining and would even go as far to use the word, charming. With the arrival of Elvira comes chaos, tomfoolery and much confusion for Charles. Where does his heart lie, with the living or the dead? The cat also exits the bag, so to speak, as it is learned the cause for Charles’s writer’s block may not be due to lack of inspiration but more from the absence of talent. It seems there was someone else previously behind all of those hit novels.

For me, this is a lovely film to escape in. The set design showcases an art deco style that is lush, vivid and lively. Much of the same could be said for the costumes as well, in particular those of Elviria. By the end of the film, I wished I could raid her wardrobe somehow, as I could use some more high waisted pants and whimsical hats in my life. As for the performances, I won’t compare them to the 1945 version as I feel that would be a silly exercise. I quite enjoyed the depictions from Hall’s cast, and despite Judi Dench lately always wanting to show her cat-like skills, she manages to give a standup portrayal of Madame Arcati. Would I say she bested, Margaret Rutherford… nah, but that just might be damn near impossible. I also enjoyed that the film avoided the trappings of bad special effects. Much like in Lean’s version, Elviria was right out in the open, walking about like a regular breather. The only difference was that Mann didn’t sport the green tint, which I must admit I did miss.

If you’re looking for a flick to pop on after a rough day at the office (or in present terms: home office), Blithe Spirit is it. It may not be the most cinematic experience of 2021, but it sure will lift your spirits.