The Ghost Writer
Directed by: Roman Polanski Cast: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan Running Time: 2 hrs Rating: PG-13 Release Date: February 26, 2010 (limited)
PLOT: An author (McGregor) who is hired to write the memoirs of a controversial politician (Brosnan) finds himself in the middle of the chaos when investigating the prime minister’s true motivations for being in politics.
WHO'S IT FOR?: This might be another PG-13 film from Summit Entertainment, distributors of New Moon, but The Ghost Writer is for the thinking men and women, not boys and girls.
EXPECTATIONS: I knew more about Polanski's scandal than I did his new film before going in. I was also skeptical as to what meaning this story would give to the term "ghost writer."
SCORECARD (0-10)
ACTORS:
Pierce Brosnan as Adam Lang: Simply judging by his face, Brosnan is a great choice to play a Tony Blair-like politician. The former James Bond does not let his appearance do all of the imitating, as his calculated delivery always lends itself to the familiar mannerisms of a man constantly living under the spotlight for which he will be remembered. His front-page photogenic smile can always be interpreted with the subtext of being trustworthy or slimy, something that Brosnan uses to great advantage. Score: 8
Ewan McGregor as The Ghost: Very similar to his aura in The Men Who Stare At Goats, McGregor is a devoted writer who once again carries the audience on his back through this bizarre journey. He’s a hesitant and regular guy whose driving curiosity we can hook onto. The man not may mutter the best jokes, but that makes him more human and less “written." Score: 7
TALKING: McGregor has a handful of clumsy quips that are not very clever so much as they are from the mouth of a goofy smartass. The zingers provide the only moments of humor in the film, if one can consider such forced attempts at humor amusing. Score: 6
SIGHTS: Familiar faces like Jim Belushi and Kim Cattral make appearances in the movie, which might feel odd at first but are not completely distracting to the storytelling. Tom Wilkinson has an extended but certainly important cameo. Score: 5
SOUNDS: This score by Alexandre Desplat maintains a cool jazziness while also being urgent to the tension of the film. Xylophones add a more fantastical touch while muted trumpets keep the score leveled in a mood that is classic mystery. A unique accompaniment to a genre usually accompanied by stumbling pianos and twitchy strings. Score: 7
PLOT SPOILERS
BEST SCENE: The revelation of the truth about the first draft is probably the most exciting twist, and worth the price of admission alone.
ENDING: The film’s title receives much more meaning than one could really anticipate.
QUESTIONS: So the information concerning Emmett's true connection to Lang was on the internet? Did no one bother to investigate this before?
REWATCHABILITY: Even if the surprises of the film are known from a first viewing, this is the type of drama that welcomes a second viewing just to get all of the pieces together.
OVERALL
The Ghost Writer is a great example of what a taut thriller can be: Odd pieces of a puzzle clashing together to create a heart pounding tension, while the big picture is simultaneously understood by the lead character and his/her audience. This thick movie carefully places its twists on a well-plotted track as it chugs along on brain fuel that is rare to mainstream movies of today. Admirably, it maintains a political edge that's relevant to current climates, along with some of the later chapters of director Polanski’s own life. From top to bottom the performances are engrossing, particularly Pierce Brosnan in one of his more commendable roles.
Not a film to slack on the most important aspects of what makes a great film, The Ghost Writer has a fantastic conclusion that unties every purposeful knot. The entire package is bound tightly, the way a good book should be.
FINAL SCORE: 8/10