The Ghost Writer (2010)

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Feb 192010
 

The-Ghost-WriterI always worry about reviewing movies like this. ¬†I’ll get this off my chest before we dive into things: I know that director Roman Polanski made a very poor decision years before I was even born. ¬†He made an even poorer decision by not facing the charges then and creating a semi-large media circus this past Fall when he was arrested. ¬†All that aside, the man has made some fairly significant films and my endorsement of The Ghost Writer in no way should reflect how I feel about his offscreen actions. ¬†Rape evokes some strong reactions and I only hope that you can remove those from your opinion should you be afforded the option to check this movie out. ¬†Besides, I’m sure if we viewed all the skeletons hidden in Hollywood’s closets we’d find a lot more situations like Polanski’s. ¬†Not saying that makes it any better but… Alright I’ll wrap this preface up there.

Political thrillers can be a polarizing mess. ¬†I find the ones that work, such as The Ghost Writer, typically find a side of the fence to lean on and stay with that. ¬†This of course alienates a good portion of the potential audience but at the same time, stays consistent through out. ¬†This is something that last year’s State of Play couldn’t fully grasp. The wishy washy twist in that movie basically just makes all politicians seem like assholes. ¬†Which may or may not be true but from a film perspective, it’s a proverbial cop out. ¬†Instead of being ballsy and choosing a side, that film decided to be more mainstream and let everyone win. ¬†The Ghost Writer on the other hand not only takes a political stance, it’s a damn good movie to boot.

The movie opens on a ferry as it’s docking and letting drivers depart onto an island just offshore of the US. ¬†An SUV remains parked and doesn’t move, forcing a tow truck to show up and cart it away. ¬†We then cut to a body washing up on, presumably, a nearby shore. ¬†We later learn that this is the writer of former Prime Minister Adam Lang’s (Pierce Brosnan) memoirs. ¬†The plot goes full steam ahead with our hero, The Ghost whose real name is never revealed (Ewan McGregor), being contracted for a month’s work to rewrite, or ghost write, the memoirs into a more effective style. ¬†To reveal any more of the plot would be criminal. ¬†Get it? ¬†Criminal!

The great thing about the movie is how easily I connected with The Ghost. ¬†You basically learn everything about Adam as he does and I was amazed at how this worked. ¬†I was recounting the movie to the wife last night when I realized that I had already figured out the big twist just before it was fully shown to the audience. ¬†But the cool thing was that I discovered it at the very same moment and in the very same way that The Ghost did. ¬†I may not be describing this correctly but damn, it really worked for me. ¬†Watching the film through The Ghost’s eyes was a pretty unique experience.

None of that would work if it weren’t for the performances though. ¬†You have to believe the things that are happening and McGregor and Brosnan do so with ease. ¬†I had forgotten that Kim Cattrall wasn’t just a boozing sex addict. ¬†Her turn as Amelia Bly, Lang’s assistance, isn’t particularly pivotal to the film but she makes it stand out. ¬†Olivia Williams (Dollhouse) as Ruth Lang runs the gamut of emotions as the respecting yet challenging wife to the former PM. ¬†The wives of political figures, no matter the misgivings of their ruling spouses, are usually given a free pass. ¬†I’ll say it- most of the time, they’re just there. ¬†I know people that can’t stand Former President Bush but can barely muster a thought for Former First Lady Laura. ¬†So it’s rather interesting to see the way Mum portrays the affluent Mrs. Lang given that her character has become this same sort of “after though.” ¬†Needless to say, she’s believable and does a really great job.

So I ended the paragraph but I’m not done talking about the acting. ¬†A lot of people crowd Tom Wilkinson’s jock but holy shit is this guy awesome in this movie. ¬†His Professor Paul Emmet easily stole the show for me and even now I still can’t put my finger on what exactly his character was trying to accomplish. ¬†Well, I guess I can but the confusion had more to do with the enigmatic presence he brings in a confrontation between him and The Ghost. ¬†It really just added confusion to the quest but is played with such a cocky level of creepy by Wilkinson that I just can’t help but go all hyperbolic on your asses. ¬†I know it’s early, but this is one of the best performances of the year. ¬†They might as well just nominate this dude every year as long as he keeps this level of acting up.

So let’s get back to those politics I mentioned earlier. ¬†You may have inferred that the film will either piss you off or make you smile blissfully. ¬†I would argue that the film is not necessarily red or blue but takes a more worldly approach to the subject. ¬†It won’t surprise me at all if someone were to label the film as “anti-American” as there is certainly some cynicism on display. ¬†But I think this story could be told from a lot of different angles. ¬†It just so happens that the angle they choose happens to be rather topical. ¬†I’m being cryptic so as to not ruin the story, but I guess I’m just trying to say that you shouldn’t let your politics keep you from seeing the movie. ¬†Hell, if anything I think that if you fear the film could challenge your beliefs than you should see it even more. ¬†One movie is not going to change the political landscape but this one can certainly spark a great conversation or two.

So I hope that if you’re still reading you are in some way sold on The Ghost Writer. ¬†I know it’s a film that is getting little to no press and may not even be releasing in your neck of the woods this week. ¬†And I know we’ve been wading through some crap so far this year, but it’s easily the best thing rolling right now. ¬†I have failed to mention that the very last, and I mean very last, moment in the film is certainly questionable. ¬†But even with that I really, really enjoyed it.¬†¬†Bottom line and this is easy- highly recommended and hope to see your thoughts in the comments section later on.

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  • Zack_S

    I saw McGregor on Letterman and he did a better job selling motorcycles than this movie. I think I've just been convinced to check it out.

  • James

    Tom Wilkinson. Awesome.
    Ewan McGregor. Awesome.
    Remington Steele. Always, ALWAYS Awesome.

    Thanks for talking this up so much. Your review really got me off the fence about it and I'll use this as a reward for after Dear John. Yes, I'm finally going to see it tonight.

  • Zack_S

    I saw McGregor on Letterman and he did a better job selling motorcycles than this movie. I think I've just been convinced to check it out.

  • James

    Tom Wilkinson. Awesome.
    Ewan McGregor. Awesome.
    Remington Steele. Always, ALWAYS Awesome.

    Thanks for talking this up so much. Your review really got me off the fence about it and I'll use this as a reward for after Dear John. Yes, I'm finally going to see it tonight.

   
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