MOVIE: THE GHOST WRITER

MOVIE: THE GHOST WRITER

In Roman Polanski’s shrewdly paced, deliciously wry political thriller, The Ghost Writer, a writer (Ewan McGregor) known simply as ‘the Ghost’ is hired to salvage the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), following the mysterious death of Lang’s previous writer. But as the Ghost delves deeper into Lang’s political indiscretions, he puts his life in danger. As the writer turned reluctant detective, McGregor provides understated charm; underscoring his protagonist’s mild manner with an air of facetiousness and providing some of film’s best quips (“I can’t talk, peace protestors are trying to kill me”). Offering strong support are co-stars Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall, Tom Wilkinson and Brosnan, who trades his usual charisma for volatility and smarm. Noteworthy too is the perpetually overcast and wind-swept New England coastal setting, which accounts for much of the film’s inherent eeriness. By flirting with humour, whilst still retaining a seductively dark undercurrent, The Ghost Writer is, in many ways, reminiscent of Polanski’s quirky and free-spirited early forays (Knife in the Water, Cul-de-Sac, The Fearless Vampire Killers). This hypnotic, occasionally cheeky suspense-thriller is vintage Polanski. (JH)

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