The Ghost Writer

"The Ghost Writer"
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall
Directed by: Roman Polanski
128 minutes

There is something admirable and perhaps elegant about Polanski's latest film, "The Ghost Writer." Having missed out on it during its early 2010 release, I'm now starting to catch up on some of the titles I missed during the first quarter of the year, "The Ghost Writer," is indeed one of the hidden gems of early 2010. The screenwriter of the film, Richard Harris, is in fact the person who wrote the book the film is adapted from. I imagine much wasn't lost in translation.

The story is stuff we've seen before, a ghost writer, played by McGregor finds himself way in over his head once he starts to re-write the memoirs for a former British Prime Minister played by Brosnan. The film plays best as a political thriller, but has the feel of a 70's film plagued with government and social paranoia. McGregor, who fits perfectly into these kinds of roles, rather than a miscast action star, turns in respectable work alongside his supporting cast. Before the ghost was assigned the job,  an old and loyal friend of Lang's was assigned with writing the memoirs, his fate, which we learn early, provides the ghost with the job.

The film takes place on the Prime Minister Stephen Lang's isolated and remote estate in the US. This is where the ghost writer will draw out crucial information from Lang and try to put together a coherent memoir that Lang and his wife Ruth (Williams) will be proud of. Back in London, there is a watchful and focused eye on the assignment, as the ghost's editors are pushing for a 2 week deadline. Lang isn't exactly the beacon of honesty and integrity as he might think, he's currently under investigation for war crimes during his past stint in office. This act is one of the many that propel the story, and turn an ordinary narrative into something more.

As the film progresses, the ghost starts to uncover little secrets and tidbits about Lang's past that cause him to question what he's actually caught up in. The best thing about "The Ghost Writer," and its tiny little world of mystery and deceit is how Polanski manages to make a very adult film, one where guns aren't fired, but one where adults talk, and conversation, albeit some exposition serves as the groundwork for the film. Polanski's direction is tight and assured, and the cast are always reliable. Olivia Williams as Lang's mysterious wife is especially good, and has been singled out my some other critics as well for her performance. Kim Cattrall also shows up, while her accent may not be top notch, she actually holds her own with these veterans. Tom Wilkinson has a couple scenes, but he always delivers.

"The Ghost Writer," is nothing great, but simply a welcoming entry into Polanski's filmography. It has the right whit, dark humor, and angst about itself which keeps it chugging along when not much is happening. The last shot of the film fits perfectly into everything that we've seen prior to it, and is a fitting coda to a film Hitchcock would have been proud of.

Grade: 3.5/5