Time and Passing

Rating: 9/10 (25 December 2019)

I saw this movie when it came out, with my parents; both of whom are gone now. The love between Sam and Molly is shown with sweetness and tenderness- even beyond death. And Tony Goldwyn is absolutely hateful as his despicable and sleazy friend, who makes the moves on Molly, much to the late Sam's chagrin
. Vincent Schiavelli is alternately frightening and poignant as the eternally angry Subway Ghost, gone "before his time", who ultimately tests Sam's own otherworldly potential. A true "Lost Soul".
True, some of the special effects are a little cheesy, but this can be forgiven as the medium was fairly new. They do, however, manage to get their points across. And Whoopi Goldberg is terrific as the dubious medium, Ota Mae, who gets more than she bargained for!
But I actually wanted to speak about two other players here: Rick Aviles, for one, who plays Willie - the cause of Sam's tragic death. I used to see Mr Aviles on the F train to and from NYC back in the '80's, as a younger working person. He did a funny comic riff with the passengers for contributions, before he moved on to the comedy clubs. I'm sorry that he passed so young, not unlike Sam Weed.
And a word about Laura Drake, who played the cynical female policewoman whom Molly's character encounters earlier in the film. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms Drake some years back, as she worked at my mother's nursing home as a sort of "creative director" for the patients, for a limited time. She'd lead them in discussion about current events, or the arts, and was quite charming and down to earth. At times, she'd speak with Mom one on one about family, and even typed something for Mom as a favor to give to my father. She told me how much she genuinely liked my mother, and I never forgot her warmth and kindness. I hope wherever she is, she is doing well.
Amazing what a film can trigger in us through the passage of time. One thing I'm sure of, the love truly "never dies".
Thank you.