Ghost Writer

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening this Friday in theatres is the newest film from director Roman Polanski and novel by Robert Harris with Summit Entertainment’s “Ghost Writer”.

This film tells the story of a ghost writer (Ewan McGreggor), whose publicist gets him the job of writing for former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan). Replacing the previous writer who accidentally drowns causes some discomfort but soon the two are starting over again.

From the beginning someone is trying to stop the publication of this book. Lang keeps the book close and does nothing without the okay of his wife Ruth (Olivia Williams). However, Lang’s assistant Amelia Bly (Kim Catrall) is a cause of much tension.

As the writer begins putting together Lang’s memoirs – secrets begin to surface with clues left behind by the previous writer. In the midst of it all are accusations against Lang that he secretly worked with the United States by torturing suspected terrorists.

But the pieces start coming together, which leads to both governments, those in power and secrets that can only lead to murder.

FINAL WORD: McGregor is an interesting choice for the role of the ghost-writer. He follows along, as the viewer does, to see what can possibly happen next. That being said there are moments where the dialogue does not do the character justice.

Brosnan is fine in his role as Lang. This isn’t a huge stretch for him but it is a solid role nonetheless. Williams is all over the place as a political wife feeling unappreciated and I’ve seen this role from her before.

Catrall is the odd one out here. Playing the very straight, very uptight personal assistant it seemed unrealistic. The times she is on screen I’m just not motivated to pay attention.

One of my favorite roles goes to Tom Wilkinson as Professor Emmett. The minute he is on screen he holds the viewers attention. He has proven his ability to play both a good guy just as well as a bad guy.

Other roles include: Eli Wallach as Vineyard the old man – and I’m here to say I constantly enjoy it when he shows up in these smaller roles. Also, Timothy Hutton as lawyer for Lang Sidney Kroll and, surprisingly, a short role by a very bald James Belushi.

The film has already received a nod from the Berlin International Film Festival for director Roman Polanski.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Ghost Writer” three tubs of popcorn out of five. It is a piece-by-piece drama that keeps the viewer in check until the end. Quiet honestly it slows down in the middle and needs cutting down in its running time of over two hours.

In the end being a ghost could possibly save your life.