High Spirits (1988)

Set in Ireland, the impoverished owner (Peter O'Toole) of a debt ridden castle hatches a plan to save the castle by advertising the place as haunted. His staff dons sheets and chains in an attempt to convince tourists that the place is haunted which infuriates the real ghosts who haunt the castle. Written and directed by Neil Jordan (THE CRYING GAME), this whimsical comedy has its moments but not enough of them to lift it out of the routine. To be fair, Jordan claims the released film is far different from the movie he shot and that he was not allowed to edit the film on his own. Considering how some of the talented cast is wasted, I can believe him. Aside from the annoying ubiquitous "he's everywhere" 1980s Steve Guttenberg, the game cast gives it their all. George Fenton's score does much to give the movie some spirit (no pun intended). With Liam Neeson, Daryl Hannah, Peter Gallagher, Jennifer Tilly, Beverly D'Angelo, Martin Ferrrero, Ray McAnally and Liz Smith.