Never mind things that go bump in the night, what about things that go bump during your therapy session? Ryan Crepack’s comedy film That’s the Spirit takes us into the home of therapist Sean (Crepack) as he delivers an online therapy session to a particularly troubled man. As well as being afflicted by many phobias, Leonard (Steve Lo Biondo) is also afflicted with being a bit of a jerk. He’s obstinate, rude and entirely unreceptive to any of the help Sean is trying to offer. As they say: you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink if he has a phobia of horses and water and leading.
During the session, a persistent creaking noise leads Sean to abandon Leonard (triggering his fear of abandonment) as he quickly searches the house for an intruder. Instead, he finds nothing more than a ghost (Dave Esposito), and a poor excuse of a ghost at that. The ghost has no scare-ability and Sean is thoroughly unimpressed. Instead of trembling in fear, Sean is more likely to quiver with irritation as the ghost simply refuses to leave him alone. In a humorous twist of fate, Sean realises the ghost’s lack of talent is making him lose the will to live (or die?), and so decides to help him fulfil his ghost potential.
The climax of the film is fairly unethical as far as being a therapist goes, but funny nonetheless. Perhaps Sean has found his calling as a full time ghost therapist, who knows! That’s the Spirit is lightly comedic throughout and is carried by some talented performances from the three protagonists. Steve Lo Biondo as Leonard is especially noteworthy in his exaggerated portrayal of Sean’s patient. He’s irritating, irrational and irate. All those things, in this context, are meant as compliments. Steve Lo Biondo is a powerful (even if strategically annoying) presence in the film. Ryan Crepack shows talent across the board, both in front of and behind the camera. He plays the disgruntled therapist with humour and a slight edge. Dave Esposito is good at being a bad ghost, bringing a lot of the comedy to the film in his flailing attempts to spook Sean.
I really enjoyed the concept for this film and would quite like to see another instalment with Sean and the ghost as I feel like there is more fun to be had! While there is room for some refinement to the script to give us a couple more whip-crack “HA” moments, That’s the Spirit is inventive and enjoyable to watch.
See the whole film on YouTube now!