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.