Director: Roman Polanski
Writer: Robert Harris, Roman Polanski
Release Date: September 20 2010
Studio: Optimum Home Entertainment
No of discs: 1
Region: 2
Price: From £9.99-£15.93
Running Time: 123/8 mins
Certificate: 15
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Ewan McGregor, Kim Cattrall, James Belushi, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Hutton, Jon Bernthal
The multi-talented and highly controversial, Roman Polanski, is back all singing and all dancing in an adaptation of a Robert Harris novel, The Ghost Writer, affectionately called The Ghost.
The story focuses on an unremarkable showbiz ghost writer with little political interest, from the winning of a contract bid to complete and sex-up the memoirs of the former UK Prime Minister to the publication and release of the book. After dominating British politics for years, ex-PM, Adam Lang, has retired with his wife to the US. The ghost’s predecessor died in mysterious circumstances, supposedly from suicide or accidental drowning. When the ghost is mugged immediately after leaving his publisher’s house and signing the contract, he begins to suspect that something is up.
Part of the contract requires the ghost to leave his comfortable black leather bachelor pad and stay in Lang’s US granite castle on a secluded island inside a secure compound. From the exterior his luxury house is reminiscent of a prison and fittingly so as Lang soon faces international scandal, charged with war crimes for supporting the torture of illegal immigrants. He finds himself under house arrest surrounded by angry protesters and unable to return home, confined to the relative security of the US. Mystery surrounds the manuscript that is kept under lock and key and promises Lang a place in history. As the ghost delves into Lang’s murky past, something doesn’t quite add up and it’s not just the dates – the truth is somewhere in the manuscript.
When the shit truly hits the proverbial fan, Lang flees and cracks in his marriage with the super-strong, Ruth, start to show. “Having to re-live everything year by year for [the] bloody book,” is enough but Lang’s disregard for her advice, ill-advised decisions and abandonment are a final straw. Also left to his own devices, the ghost starts to dig for the truth, following well hidden clues left by the previous writer and soon starts to suspect he is being followed and might be in danger.
Unnamed throughout, Ewan McGregor is “the ghost” – a single easy-going carefree spirit drinker unable to resist the temptation to conduct his own private investigations. Pierce Brosnan gives a multi-dimensional portrayal of Lang, a man keen to further his career ensuring the UK is firmly tied to the US. Highly-strung at the best of times, Brosnan’s Lang is wrought with conflicting emotions waiting to snap at any moment, dependent on his assistant, Amelia, to smooth out the creases. Cattrall successfully plays Amelia with the perfect balance of professionalism and devotion to her boss, reaffirming that she is more than suited to serious non-sexual roles. Olivia Williams stars as his rock, Ruth, the unassuming supportive wife with dark secrets of her own.
Although, captivating in its gloomy suspenseful settings, mounting tension and strong cast, The Ghost’s long running-time is unfortunately apparent. What is most interesting about the film are its striking parallels to current political figures and Polanski’s own situation.
***
