Lady in White has a few minor problems but works overall as a well told ghost story

I didn't see Lady in White until a few years back when my brother's wife pointed me toward it. She said her family liked it when she was growing up and she thought I should see it.

The movie starts around Halloween, 1962 and follows a young boy named Frankie (Lukas Haas) who gets locked into a school closet one night. While there, he sees the ghost of a young girl, aparently reliving the night she was murdered.

It was made very independently and with a budget of less than $5 million. It shows a bit in some of the special effects, but the story works pretty well.

My main issue is with the use of voiceover narration. Narration can serve to dilute tension and distract the watcher, but otherwise, the lines for the narrater are well-enough written.

Admittedly, I'd probably have a higher oppinion of this one had I seen it as a kid, but it still works well enough. As it is, I get distracted by some of the more cheaply done effects.

But if you can focus on the story and acting, you'll find some great surprises. For instance, the scene where Frankie sees the young girl's ghost for the first time is actually very effective and haunting. There are good moments in this movie that work well.

I would remind you, however, that it's set in 1962, and there are scenes that show some of the racial tension of that era. You should definitely know that young kids seeing this for the first time may need an adult to explain some of the attitudes that some of the characters portray.

Overall, I give the movie a 7 / 10.

Lady in White is rated PG-13 for language (including use of a particular word that rhymes with "bigger"), thematic elements and violence against children.