The Ghostlight team reunites for the grief-stricken masterclass Mouse

Minnie, the star of the upcoming film Mouse, isn't the most popular girl at school. Instead, she is the quiet girl who stands by her best friend, Callie, an aspiring actress and leader of the school musicals. Minnie's friendship with Callie remains strong until tragedy strikes. On the last day of school in 2002, Minnie and Callie steal some time by the cliffs before attending an end-of-the-year slumber party at Callie's house, where Callie shares her dreams of a successful theatrical career.

After the party, Minnie leaves for work and returns to learn that Callie has been in an accident and passed away. The loss of her best friend forces Minnie and Callie's mother, Helen, together as they share memories of Callie and find support in each other's grief. The movie, directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, delves deep into Minnie's insecurities about her working-class background and her fear of not finding her true self after always being in Callie's shadow.

Helen, Minnie's mother, also grapples with her own emotions and the challenges of losing a child. While Minnie is discovering who she is and who she's interested in, including her first crush and first kiss, she must also learn to live with grief. The film balances solemnity and heartbreak, allowing the actors to explore their characters' conflicting feelings in measured steps.

The cinematography, by Nate Hurtsellers and Luke Dyra, gives the movie a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the era, with its waning days of disposable film cameras, old ringtones, and songs like Nelly's "Hot in Herre." The idyllic suburbia of the film, filled with pretty tree-lined streets and hanging out by the local watering hole, highlights the loneliness and isolation experienced by both Minnie and Helen after Callie's death.

Despite their shared loss, the movie emphasizes the importance of giving each other the space to grieve in their own way.