We Have a Ghost: Fun Family Film Aces Its Tone and Feel

By Karen Gordon

Rating: B+

There’s a formula to the lighthearted family movie. It requires the filmmaker find a delicate balance. If it goes wrong, it can tip into schmaltz very quickly. But when it’s done well, it’s a reassuring, easygoing, and enjoyable experience.

With We Have a Ghost, writer-director Christopher Landon has pulled off the latter. With its screwy supernatural premise — buoyed by terrific cast that includes Anthony Mackie, Jennifer Coolidge, David Harbour and Tig Notaro — the movie is a charmer with heart.

The Presley family, headed by dad Frank (Mackie) and mom Melanie (Erica Ash), get a great deal on a big, once-beautiful but abandoned house. Melanie is suspicious about its price, but Frank is enthusiastic. They buy it and move in with their two teenaged sons, 16-year-old Kevin (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) and his older brother Fulton (Niles Fitch).

There are tensions in the family. Frank is upbeat and positive, but hints are dropped that he’s had issues that have affected the family’s fortunes. He and Kevin have a quiet but openly strained relationship.

On their first night in the house, Kevin is woken up by the sounds of noisy footsteps coming from the attic. He goes up to investigate and has a full-on experience with a ghost.

Ernest (David Harbour) comes out of the wall, waving his arms and moaning in classic ghostly fashion. Kevin quickly flips his phone on to record, and instead of being terrified, finds the experience funny, which causes Ernest to give up and disappear.

The next day, Kevin goes back to the attic and entices Ernest to come out again, which he does. There’s an empathetic connection between them and they begin to bond.

Ernest can’t talk or remember much about who he might have been when he was alive, or why he’s trapped in the house. Kevin wants to help him figure it out. Kevin’s plan is to keep Ernest’s presence a secret, but in this family, with the video he captured, that’s not going to happen.

Frank and Fulton see the video, and Kevin gives them the news: we have a ghost.

Over Kevin’s objections, Frank decides to put the video of Ernest online hoping it will go viral and become a little cash-generating industry. Sure enough, the footage catches on, setting off a social media reaction that brings more attention and trouble than the family could never have expected.

Ernest fans and the media stake out the house, blocking the street, irritating the neighbours, and causing tension in the family. TV comes calling, including Dr. Phil. A wild encounter with famous TV medium Judy Romano (Coolidge) doesn’t help with the family tension.

All of this brings Ernest to the attention a now disgraced former CIA operative, Dr. Leslie Monroe (Notaro). She was once assigned to a paranormal unit looking to apprehend ghosts, called Wizard Clip, and has never given up the belief that she can do it. She takes the footage to her shifty former boss (Steve Coulter) and gets him to reinstate her and reopen the program.

In the meantime, Kevin stays as far away from the insanity as possible and finds an unexpected ally in his neighbour and classmate, the offbeat Joy Yoshino (Isabella Russo) who is an internet whiz. Kevin and Joy do some serious research trying to sort out who Ernest was in his earthly existence and to figure out why he’s stuck in the house with the aim of freeing him.

We Have A Ghost is adapted from a short story by writer Geoff Manaugh. It’s been adapted and directed by Christopher Landon. Landon has created a light but complex story that pretty much hits every note that you find in a family friendly comedy.

Ultimately, what makes these movies so satisfying, is their fundamental generosity. In taking risks the teens ultimately build their confidence, deepen friendships and heal some important relationships, for themselves and others. . And in the case of We Have A Ghost, the important relationships have to do with fathers and sons.

There’s a lot of plot and storylines going. Is We Have a Ghost overstuffed? Perhaps. But you’re never aware of it.

Some moments in the movie might be a bit wonky if you think too hard about them, but overall, the story holds. What Langdon and his wonderful cast, pull off is an enjoyable, sweet couple of hours of entertainment.

We Have a Ghost. Written and directed by Christopher Landon. Starring David Harbour, Jahi Di’Allo Winston, Anthony Mackie, Tig Notaro, Isabella Russo, Niles Fitch, Erica Ash, and Jennifer Coolidge. Streaming on Netflix beginning February 24.