by Tim Gordon
With looming legal troubles and possible extradition on the horizon, amid all of the swirling distractions director Roman Polanski has created a stunning political thriller that boasts an amazingly talented cast, an engrossingly effective screenplay, and a focused director on the top of his game.
When a writer is presented with a deal that’s too good to be true, he is sucked into the political vortex that may bring down a British Prime Minister as well as place various lives in jeopardy in The Ghost Writer. Ewan McGregor is allowed to “ghost” the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Andrew Lang (Pierce Brosnan). Under the condition that he can only work on the manuscript in Lang’s seaside residence and constantly watched by a bevy of guards, the Ghost is given 30 days to rework the original story left by his predecessor who mysteriously washed ashore, dead.
With Lang facing charges that he participated in war crimes and his lovely, focused wife, Ruth (Olivia Williams) suspicious of her husband’s assistant, Amelia Bly (Kim Cattrall), the Ghost begins to uncover secrets and information placing his life in danger. The handsome Lang is just the political face as he is manipulated by mysterious others.
The screenplay based on the book by Robert Harris has a couple of slow spots but for the most part, holds up amazingly well. Sure some instances seem obvious or suspicious but McGregor’s steely focus along with strong performances by Brosnan, Williams, Cattrall, and Tom Wilkinson make this film a curious February release.
As the story begins to unfold, McGregor’s character begins to question his loyalties and doesn’t know who he can trust. According to his late predecessor, he leaves the Ghost bread crumbs and clues that can complete the puzzle. The problem is that with time running out, can he find the answers before his fragile house of cards comes tumbling down on him?
While this film is not on par with some of Polanski’s seminal works such as Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown, and The Pianist, this film is the best film that the fabled filmmaker has made in some time. While many of his distracters will point to his problems as reasons to stay away from his films, you can make a case that not since Spike Lee’s pressure-filled successful effort in 1992’s Malcolm X has a filmmaker delivered such a strong piece of work under such adverse conditions.
With Polanski facing possible extradition and jail time, The Ghost Writer possibly could be the final film for the controversial 76-year-old filmmaker and cinematic lightning rod. If indeed this is the case, Polanski has left a towering piece of work that is a strong exclamation point to a legendary 55-year career. The writer/director even manages to weave parallels from his own story into the script adding to the story’s authenticity.
While it is only late February, Polanski’s film which recently won the top prize at the Berlin Film Festival has officially begun this year’s Oscar race and it is not a stretch to say that while early it is the best new release to come out in theaters this year. Full of heart, suspense, and passion, The Ghost Writer, is a must-see gem that will restore your belief in film.
Grade: A