The Ghost

The European version of this film has a bizarre start. Straight from the certificate screen there is a sudden and messy jump to the title screen followed by an even more abrupt cut to Ewan McGregor…and then away we go. Huh? What happened there then? Basically, the US version is called The Ghost Writer, and therefore changes were needed for this version. However, this untidy start is a good metaphor for the film as a whole as whilst Roman Polanski does a fair job of adapting Robert Harris’ source novel, the screenplay has far too may loose ends and coincidences for this to be anything more than an average effort. However, if you like slow plotting, conspiracies and the occasional twist, then this could be the film for you. The Ghost of the title is played by McGregor, a ghost writer, who is employed by a former British prime minister to help write his memoirs. It’s well documented that Harris’ novel is an thinly veiled analogue of Tony Blair. However, its best just to engage this film on it’s own two feet. Unsurprisingly, as McGregor delves deeper into the secrets of the PM’s past, he finds himself getting into deep water. Did the same type of investigation lead to the mysterious death of the previous ghost writer? McGregor does a good job, first playing the ghost in a laid back and jokey manner, as if he can’t believe the situation he’s found himself in the first place, before giving way to suspicion and fear, due to the subsequent dirt he digs up. The rest of the cast don’t fare quite so well. Pierce Brosnan as the PM doesn’t have enough screen time (though a gag involving the Blair smile is memorable), whilst a number of other characters suffer from being mere stereotypes (though Tom Wilkinson American accent spotters are indulged yet again). Direction wise the film has a cold feel to it, but I expect (or at least hope) that was Polanski’s aim in the first place. If you can cope with the slow tempo and a few unbelievable moments (McGregor bedding the PM’s wife!), you should just about be satisfied with this, but its frustrating to think what might have been.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
This slow paced thriller is passable, but the nagging doubt remains this could have been a whole lot more. Rating: 6/10.