The Ghost Writer (2010)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Alexander D

  
  THE GHOST WRITER was very engaging. Rescan those points above, intertwine them with the spellbinding score by Alexandre Desplat (this is the kind of film he should be scoring), and you probably understand what I refer to. It also seemed a bit uneven. Seeing it as your average movie… More
  THE GHOST WRITER was very engaging. Rescan those points above, intertwine them with the spellbinding score by Alexandre Desplat (this is the kind of film he should be scoring), and you probably understand what I refer to. It also seemed a bit uneven. Seeing it as your average movie fan, I loved it, but when I tried to look at it from a political standpoint, I got a bit confused. On top of that, the word âghostâ? is taken a bit too far. It starts out with the proper employment, in the fashion of describing someone who writes the memoirs of a familiar figure, but when the film grows more tense and McGregor begins to shorten, âIâ(TM)m his ghostwriter,â? to simply, âIâ(TM)m his ghost,â? the word seemed to have a whole different meaning. Thankfully, I feel more than compelled to watch more of Roman Polanski⦠READ THE REST OF WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN: http://themoviefreakblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/the-ghost-writer/

• paul o

  
  Not the best conspiracy film but under the hand of Roman Polanski, it entertains you long enough to finish it.

• Candy R

  
  Ewan plays a ghost writer who takes up a job to ghost write the memoirs of the ex British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce). Ewan's predecessor and former aide of Lang died in an unfortunate accident. Lang is accused of ordering the torture of terrorists and is being investigated… More
  Ewan plays a ghost writer who takes up a job to ghost write the memoirs of the ex British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce). Ewan's predecessor and former aide of Lang died in an unfortunate accident. Lang is accused of ordering the torture of terrorists and is being investigated for war crimes. Ewan tries to discover the truth behind the rise of Lang to power and connections with the CIA. It's a very interesting plot but it takes a long time to get to the revelations. Good storyline and cast. The movie reminded me of Frost Nixon and Michael Clayton.

• Anthony L

  
  The original title of the film and also the correct title of the book on which it is based is The Ghost. The Ghost writer doesn't work as a title as the film isn't just about the Ghost Writer but also the Ghost of his predecessor. I find it quite frustrating really that the… More
  The original title of the film and also the correct title of the book on which it is based is The Ghost. The Ghost writer doesn't work as a title as the film isn't just about the Ghost Writer but also the Ghost of his predecessor. I find it quite frustrating really that the producers felt the need to change it? Maybe they thought that the audience would walk out after 30 mins having not seen a hint of a single floating bed-sheet or creaky floorboard/slamming door/ floating kitchen implements etc etc. It's also set on a ghostly island, the ghost writer himself, played by Ewan McGregor (sporting a horrible English accent) is alone, he moves around like a ghost, without wanting to spoil it for anyone interested, this film is full of ghosts! It just bugs me that the audience is treated as idiots when it is the production team that generally don't have the brains to understand simple concepts. I suppose it bothered me the most because it is the title and the ideas that it conjures up that is integral to the story. As for the film itself, it's suitably creepy in its suspense and slightly disjointed in the way it's filmed but brilliantly so. I like to think this was all intentional though and after seeing a few Polanski films I believe it is. He's a great director and this is a great film, my only criticism is that they got London a bit wrong and both the accents and the acting aren't brilliant - although I thought it was cast. I adored the ending the most, dark and refreshing.

• Jennifer X

  
  Oh my god, the foghorns just kill me. Polanski has long maintained a fetish for brooding obsession that pushes the lines of sexual perversion, yet it is in "Ghost Writer"'s the deft construction of atmosphere and tension where he truly succeeds. The pervasive gloom that… More
  Oh my god, the foghorns just kill me. Polanski has long maintained a fetish for brooding obsession that pushes the lines of sexual perversion, yet it is in "Ghost Writer"'s the deft construction of atmosphere and tension where he truly succeeds. The pervasive gloom that taints the air is reminiscent of Hitchcock's classic thrillers, replete with Tim Burton-esque tinkles and the ominous sounds of a distant foghorn. The disillusioned, boozy "ghost" could have come straight out of the 50s film noir reels of Billy Wilder or Orson Welles, a hardboiled writer who purposefully shuts out the drama ensuing behind him. In true fashion, Olivia Williams ("An Education") plays Lang's wife Ruth, the mysterious victim/femme fatale whose intentions are not quite certain. <br/><br/>Indeed, "The Ghost Writer" is much more plot-based than it is character, a move that keeps the audience constantly anticipating each word, twisting with surprises up until the very last frame. At the same time, the film crackles with mordant wit in the most unexpected areas, relieving the audience's buildup of tension for a slight second.<br/><br/>Wtih his lithe construction of tension and gripping tales of intrigue, romance and obsession, Polanski masterfully transforms what quickly could've escalated into a pedestrian chase-and-evade flick into an effective political espionage thriller for those who can't stand the genre. Because the film doesn't claim to be anything more than popcorn entertainment, it manages to succeed beyond its wildest expectations. "Ghost Writer" should be the touchstone against which all post-Oscar-pre-blockbuster films should be measured against, a film that embraces the advent of modern technology while paying homage to one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.

• Film C

  
  I quite simply dont understand it! yes its got a good cause to be a stylish political thriller with a brilliant cast, however if fails to impress me, i find it confusing and i dont completely see the whole point and then to round it of your left unsatifisfyed at the as it truly… More
  I quite simply dont understand it! yes its got a good cause to be a stylish political thriller with a brilliant cast, however if fails to impress me, i find it confusing and i dont completely see the whole point and then to round it of your left unsatifisfyed at the as it truly showed that the film itself thought it was pointless. Brosnan and McGregor are brilliant as leads and it has a great supporting cast however i find it just isnt upto scratch to make it an interesting thriller.

• Kyle F

  
  It may not be an extremely original or revealing thriller storywise (despite being very well written), but it's wonderfully atmospherical and rivetingly interesting, enough so to always grab full attention without boring. Ewan McGregor is great, and proves that he is one of the… More
  It may not be an extremely original or revealing thriller storywise (despite being very well written), but it's wonderfully atmospherical and rivetingly interesting, enough so to always grab full attention without boring. Ewan McGregor is great, and proves that he is one of the most charismatic actors out there. The style is something very much this movies own, and Alexandre Desplat's score exhilerates.

• MisterYoda ?

  
  three stars

• Lenny M

  
  Juicy thriller, excellent finale. I would've like to have seen Sean Bean being cast alongside Pierce Brosnan, reignite the Bond-Trevelyan rivalry!

• paul s

  
  It is a rather sad commentary that a tightly wound, "adult" thriller such as Ghostwriter comes as such a rarity these days. Indeed, this Roman Polanski directed film harkens back to films of another era, where tension was built block by block and the audience didn't… More
  It is a rather sad commentary that a tightly wound, "adult" thriller such as Ghostwriter comes as such a rarity these days. Indeed, this Roman Polanski directed film harkens back to films of another era, where tension was built block by block and the audience didn't need a car chase every five minutes to whet their ADD addled attention spans. I say "adult" because this film simply doesn't cater to those base desires to show you all flash and sizzle - preferring to take you on a rather harrowing journey of discovery that, in spite of some nods to filming convention script wise, still manages to build a considerable amount of tension. Without revealing too much, the story goes something like this: former British Prime Minister Adam Lang (masterfully portrayed by James Bond... I mean Pierce Brosnan) wants to cash in on his celebrity by writing his memoirs. Unfortunately the original ghostwriter (the scribe who takes the musings of the "great man" and turns it into something approaching a readable text) mysteriously winds up lying dead on a beach. Negotiations for a replacement follow and "The Ghost" played ably by Ewan McGregor, enters the picture and is contracted to "clean up and polish" the manuscript of his predecessor. While working on the project McGregor begins to feel that something is not quite right, and here Polanski exhibits his considerable directing skills in setting an ominous tone where just about anything and everyone looks somehow suspicious. This is a film all about tone, from the gloomy wet landscapes of Martha's Vineyard in winter, to the cold interior of the PM's concrete and steel home. Add in the perfectly British air of cold efficiency provided by the PM's aide (a wonderful role for Kim Cattrall) and the buttoned down manners of the PM's wife Ruth, plus the chilly detachment of the Asian maid/cook who appears to either know something or is going to suddenly go all ninja fu - it all ratchets up the tension and keeps you guessing. Polanski borrows heavily from past masters like Hitchcock in laying out this story through various conversations and just a hint of plot convenience, yet for all the seemingly innocuous conversations, the tension continues to bubble just beneath the surface, with just enough glances in rearview mirrors at black sedans to make you feel just as McGregor must - that he is a fly caught in a web of something very dark. As the secret begins to unfold there are some wonderful cameos as McGregor meets up with Eli Wallach, and, in a brief but off the charts bit of acting, Tom Wilkinson whose portrayal of a pompous yet somehow dangerous academian who may be some kind of political power broker, or perhaps something even deeper. Indeed there exists a strong political undertow to the film, as one can easily imagine Andy Lang being Tony Blair, and Wilkinson being perhaps some kind of facilitator for Halliburton. Part and parcel in a film delving into politics, motivations and allegiances are murky at best, which further enhances the feeling of claustrophobia where you can truly trust no one. The only misstep comes just before the film's conclusion, where a note is passed as if saying, "I know the truth". It is out of character and unnecessary, and yet the filming of the note being passed from hand to hand, never seeing more than the torsos of those doing the passing is so brilliant that you can forgive Polanski (who co-penned the script along with Robert Harris, who wrote the book upon which the film is based) his transgression. What follows, with the action taking place just off screen, with only the aftermath being shown on screen is a bit of cinematic genius and aptly shows a director in complete control of every aspect of his film.

• Shawn E

  
  Political movies don't always hold attention well, but with the twists and mysteries of an intelligent thriller the Ghost Writer develops into quite the exciting adventure. The plot of this film is enough to keep you intrigued although it does have it's slow moments. As the… More
  Political movies don't always hold attention well, but with the twists and mysteries of an intelligent thriller the Ghost Writer develops into quite the exciting adventure. The plot of this film is enough to keep you intrigued although it does have it's slow moments. As the story picks up pace, the dangerous position of the ghost writer heightens, and the mysterious secrets that begin to unfold lead to a decent climax of discovery with a few twists and turns.

• Conner R

  
  It's just kind've hilarious that this movie is so highly regarded. For me, it was just the most pointless story. Nothing is accomplished and nearly every moment is taken in vain by the end. While it might look pretty and have sophisticated British lingo, it's still… More
  It's just kind've hilarious that this movie is so highly regarded. For me, it was just the most pointless story. Nothing is accomplished and nearly every moment is taken in vain by the end. While it might look pretty and have sophisticated British lingo, it's still completely ridiculous. I also think the blatantly obvious parallels with Tony Blair was just incredibly uninteresting, after all the reminders, I just wanted to say "we get it". Now I usually find Roman Polanski to be a god among directors, but this is one of his exceptions to me. At first I tried to forget its flaws and pretend that I liked it, but it really just annoys me at this point.

• Kalel J

  
  A dense political thriller with a sometimes abstract execution, 'The Ghost Writer' is a layered foray into personal, institutional, and governmental relationships. It can be misconstrued as slow-burning, but proves immensely absorbing and through its compact structure and… More
  A dense political thriller with a sometimes abstract execution, 'The Ghost Writer' is a layered foray into personal, institutional, and governmental relationships. It can be misconstrued as slow-burning, but proves immensely absorbing and through its compact structure and consistent plot weaving - moves quickly. Polanski's stylistic choices gives his film an icy atmosphere - there is paranoia and intrigue, menace and confusion. And though it can often leave its audience in the cold, careful dedication pays off largely.

• Ken S

  
  while I found the mystery a little underwhelming, the direction is solid and the last shot is awesome.

• Thomas J

  
  A very interesting political thriller that is only about Politicians not politics! Slow at times, but still very good movie.

• danny d

  
  this was a 4 star film until the final 5 minutes or so, and then one piece of dialogue and one event in the closing minutes made zero sense as a conclusion to an otherwise excellently crafted thriller, and the film dropped for me quite a bit. the acting, atmosphere, and screen play… More
  this was a 4 star film until the final 5 minutes or so, and then one piece of dialogue and one event in the closing minutes made zero sense as a conclusion to an otherwise excellently crafted thriller, and the film dropped for me quite a bit. the acting, atmosphere, and screen play were excellent. overall a well made movie with an unfortunate ending.

• Tim S

  
  This movie is worth a watch for two things:Pierce Brosnan's performance and the final shot of the film. The rest is a clunky, run of the mill conspiracy thriller with one of the most ridiculous payoffs of all time.It's too bad, because it looks beautiful and Brosnan is… More
  This movie is worth a watch for two things:Pierce Brosnan's performance and the final shot of the film. The rest is a clunky, run of the mill conspiracy thriller with one of the most ridiculous payoffs of all time.It's too bad, because it looks beautiful and Brosnan is really good. Also a waste of a cool house.

• Jameson W

  
  The Ghost Writer is one of those films that when I saw it, I simply felt it was good. I saw it in early March, and as more great films have been released, this film has always remained in my mind. I think it's very good as opposed to just okay. It's not brilliant, but… More
  The Ghost Writer is one of those films that when I saw it, I simply felt it was good. I saw it in early March, and as more great films have been released, this film has always remained in my mind. I think it's very good as opposed to just okay. It's not brilliant, but it's still is a strong film and one of the better movies of the year. Very intense and it had some good performances. The ending really was a shocker to me....check this film out!

• Cynthia S

  
  Ok..this movie had one of the best endings that I have seen in a very long time. In my opinion, it was done perfectly. The pages of the memoirs blowing down the wet pavement makes the most profound statement of the movie. I don't ever remember seeing a Roman Polanski film, but… More
  Ok..this movie had one of the best endings that I have seen in a very long time. In my opinion, it was done perfectly. The pages of the memoirs blowing down the wet pavement makes the most profound statement of the movie. I don't ever remember seeing a Roman Polanski film, but if this was an example of what I missed..well then maybe I should check one of those oldies out. This movie was the closest thing to Hitchcock since Hitchcock, where pace and acting combine to create tension. Really great job!!

• Dan S

  
  An intelligent, well-conceived political thriller concerning a writer (Ewan McGregor) who is assigned to tighten up and construct the memoirs of the former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan). When the Prime Minister comes under fire after he is rumored to be tied to torturing of… More
  An intelligent, well-conceived political thriller concerning a writer (Ewan McGregor) who is assigned to tighten up and construct the memoirs of the former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan). When the Prime Minister comes under fire after he is rumored to be tied to torturing of terrorists, the writer begins to stumble on to secrets that could have potentially led to his predecessor's death. While it has its share of flaws (including inexcusably horrendous editing at parts and a notable bad performance from Kim Cattrall), when the twists and turns start flying, one really sits back and admires director Roman Polanski's skill in constructing a film such as this. It has some Hitchcock-ian elements thrown in for good measure which is a definite plus, as well as a fair share of shocks near its conclusion to help tie things together. While not Polanski's most accomplished work (I can't see anything toppling "Chinatown"), certainly a film that is worth seeing, be it the performances or how the story unfolds, either works.

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