TO GILLIAN ON HER 37th BIRTHDAY

US, 1996, 97 minutes, Colour.
Peter Gallagher, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathy Baker, Bruce Altman, Wendy Crewson, Freddie Prinze Jr.
Directed by Michael Pressman.

This is a romantic ghost story. Peter Gallagher plays a husband and father, wife played by Michelle Pfeiffer, daughter by Claire Danes. It is the film debut of Freddy Prinze Jr. Kathy Baker appears as Michelle Pfeiffer’s sister.

Gillian, Michelle Pfeiffer, has died and this would have been her 37th birthday. Her husband is still grieving, unable to get over the loss, seeing his wife and conversing and dialoguing with her about himself, their daughter, his relationship – and, ultimately, his having to let her go.

The screenplay was written by Michelle Pfeiffer's husband, the prolific and well-awarded writer, David E.Kelley.

Audiences with a fondness for sentiment, even sentimentality, will identify with the husband and will also respond well to the ghostly wife, while appreciating the difficulties of the daughter who feels neglected.

1. A variation on a romantic story, a romantic comedy? The preoccupation with death and grief? Family? Coping or not coping?

2. The title, the focus on Gillian, age, character, place in the family, her husband’s love, her daughter’s love, death, the accident, the anniversary?

3. The blend of reality and fantasy, the ghost experience?

4. Massachusetts, the island, the sea and the beaches, the sand, the homes? The musical score and songs? (Karaoke)?

5. The situation, the yacht, Gillian climbing, the reactions, the swerving of the yacht, her fall, death?

6. Two years passing, David and Rachel and their relationship, his driving to the ferry, the speeding, Rachel and her anxiety? Cindy and her friendship,
passenger? The clash with Joe? The setting up of the situation? Arriving at the peer, the ferry arriving, meeting the friends?

7. The character of Paul? Their long relationship? Esther as Gillian’s sister? They’re trying to fix up David? The invitation to Kevin? Persuading her, her hesitation, on the ferry, the arrival, the embarrassment? David handling the situation?

8. The nature of the weekend, the dinner and dressing up, the Karaoke and the songs, on the beach, building the castles?

9. David, his age, professor at the University, the impact of Gillian’s death, his attempt at suicide with an overdose? Living as a recluse, allegedly writing a book, going to the beach every day, talking to Gillian, a real presence, her ghostly presence? His admitting this? But saying that he had a handle on reality? Esther and her intervention at the table, his refusal to hear, going for a walk? Paul and his humour? Kevin and her observing David? The importance of the sand castle, the blueprints, wanting to defeat the nine-year-old, the elaborate castle, his sitting in it, winning the competition? Seeing the girls and their thongs, his getting the towel? Thinking he saw Gillian, calling out, collapsing? Paul telling him about Esther going to the court? His reaction, Esther and her straight talking? His encountering Rachel, her being drunk and sick? Not coping? The clash with Joe? The possibilities of the court decision? His having to let go, the last appearance of Gillian, her walking away, freeing him? The encounter on the wharf with Rachel, his decision to go back, on the ferry, renewed life?

10. Gillian, her verve, life, age, the yacht? Their putting Rachel first? Appearances, talking, a sounding board, advising, acknowledging the real situation and her ghostly presence? Her leaving?

11. Rachel, her age, the effect of the death of her mother, her sadness? Staying with Esther and Paul? Coming back to the island, the tensions, David and his behaviour, Esther and her concern? The meeting with Joe, David’s disapproval, the date, drinking, being sick? Joe at the peer? Future meetings?

12. Esther, Gillian’s sister, her stern attitude, her plan, looking after Rachel, Paul and the clashes, writing down his insults? Her straight talk to David, the plan to the court, is reactions? A response to David and saying he did not know her? With Paul, the discussions about the relationship, sexuality? Paul, joking, watching Cindy, her tantalising him, the Karaoke and singing, having Kevin come to the island? Not succumbing to temptation? Telling the truth to Esther?

13. Kevin, her own story, persuaded by Esther and Paul, reluctance, observing, the embarrassing meal, walking on the beach, sensible talk to David?

14. Joe, his appearance and hair, the first encounter with the car, the date, the drinking, the future meetings with Rachel?

15. Cindy, the girl next door, provocative, urging Rachel to wear the thong? Her provocative behaviour with Paul?

16. Serious themes but a popularised treatment