"Ghost World" has to be one of the most clever films I have seen this past year, along with "The Royal Tenenbaums." If you liked "Being John Malkovich" and "Rushmore," you will like "Ghost World."
--George
Ghost World
Directors: Terry Zwigoff
Producers: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Writers: Daniel Clowes, Terry Zwigoff
Features: Deleted and Alternate Scenes; "Making of 'Ghost World'" Featurette; "Gumnaam" Music Video "Jaan Pehechaan Ho;" Original Theatrical Trailer
Characters:
Enid - Thora Birch
Rebecca - Scarlett Johansson
Seymour - Steve Buscemi
Josh - Brad Renfro
Roberta Allsworth - Illeana Douglas
Enid's Dad - Bob Balaban
Genre: Comedy
Review:
"Ghost World" has to be one of the most clever films I have seen this past year, along with "The Royal Tenenbaums." If you liked "Being John Malkovich" and "Rushmore," you will like "Ghost World." The beginning is funny in an extremely sardonic way but the ending turns tragic.
This movie had me laughing so hard at the sarcasm the two girls showed towards the world. The one-liners come with deadpan accuracy, with Thora Birch's character as Enid playing a "Daria"-esque personality. I must say I was excited to review the DVD to see what features it would have, since I saw "Ghost World" at the theater.
Unfortunately, MGM did not go that far in the special features department. They did a great job with the sound, as the beginning chorus will show. The picture was crisp and clear, and I didn't notice any horrible layer transfers that can distract you while watching the film. Despite MGM's lack of commentary (which I would have been excited to hear), they did something that surprised me! They included the music video from "Gumnaam" with the beginning song "Jaan Pehechaan Ho." Now you may be going, "So what," but I have to tell you that this music video starts the movie off on the right foot. The song is from some Indian movie in the 60's, but it has a catchy beat and chorus, similar to the old surfer bands.
What makes "Ghost World" so entertaining are the performances of the actors. Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, and Steve Buscemi do a fantastic job in bringing to life this comic book story. The fact that Birch and Buscemi got Golden Globe nominations for their performances is a tribute to the acting they did in this film. Why "Ghost World" was overlooked by "Legally Blonde" for a Best Picture nomination, I don't know. "Legally Blonde" was funny, but a movie with a ditzy blonde played by Reese Witherspoon succeeding as a lawyer? Not much of a stretch in my opinion.
"Ghost World" centers around two friends. Enid (Birch - "American Beauty") and Rebecca (Johansson) are best friends that have just graduated high school. Correction: Enid failed her art class, so she has to retake it during the summer. The relationship between the two becomes strained when after playing a practical joke on a middle-aged loser named Seymour (Buscemi - "Fargo"), Enid is curiously drawn to him.
Rebecca wants to grow up and take on responsibilities, like her own apartment and job. Enid, on the otherhand, still clings to her youth, as she uses her cynicism and derision to push everyone away. She only lets Seymour get close to her, and that ends up being bad for Seymour, as Enid continues in her self-destructive pattern. Even as Enid is drawn to Seymour, because she sees herself in him, she prevents herself from getting too attached to anyone. How Enid relates with those around her and resolves her issues is somewhat unclear by the ending, in my opinion, but you might have a better understanding than I did.
This movie is complex in its characters, but very funny in how life is portrayed. Why are those pants just lying there on the street? What's up with the old man sitting at the bus stop for a route that was cancelled years ago? These are all little quirky things that Enid gains comfort from, but that slowly start to lose their character as urbanization moves in, hence the reference to the title "Ghost World."
This film is not for everyone. I think all will get a kick out of the witty remarks from Enid and Rebecca in the beginning. But as the movie becomes more focused on Enid's problems, I'm sure there will be some viewers who are turned off. One complaint I have is that Johansson's character trails off near the end, as Enid and Seymour become more entangled. Rebecca's character is much more appealing than Enid's, but then again, the story wouldn't have any conflict if it focused on Rebecca.
Personally, I think "Ghost World" is worth everyone checking out and determining for themselves what they think about it. I would rate it four out of five stars, and am glad I have it in my collection. You might want to have it in yours, too. Hey, at least you will get that cool music video. Something tells me you will get a kick out of it.
---George Castillo