Ghost World (Drama, Comedy)
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Based on the underground comics by Daniel Clowes
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Sound: Dolby SR-D, DTS
Length: 108 minutes
Rating: **** out of ****
The previews for "Ghost World" make the film look like an all out weird comedy with intercut images of an Indian music video, set to a dark looking Thora Birch dancing and looking glum. While these elements do exist in the film itself, Terry Zwigoff's "Ghost World" is a deeper and more rewarding experience than I could ever have imagined. Never disappointing or ringing false for a moment, the film may very well be one of the best films on adolescence I have ever seen.
Maybe it is because at times I felt my life mirrored Enid's in a way. Played beautifully by Thora Birch ("American Beauty"), Enid is 18 years old, fresh out of high school, with no idea of where she wants to head next. She's sullen and bratty, hating all the wannabes around her and making insulting comments. Without a job or any plans for college, she sort of zones out. Her best friend Rebecca (the luminous Scarlett Johansson from "The Horse Whisperer") is already thinking ahead, wanting an apartment and holding a job at a coffee shop. Rebecca, herself, doesn't look or sound like Enid (she's a beautiful young woman), but she has the attitude of hating the world and criticizing everything just like Enid.
When Enid meets Seymour (Steve Buscemi), things change. At first, Enid tricks him into a date after jokily answering a personal ad of his, but then eventually starts following him and learning that his passion in life is 78rpm records (you know, the REALLY fast ones that existed in the 20's and 30's). Soon enough, a relationship between the two develops, and Enid's relationship with Rebecca is put to the test.
There's a whole world to this film that makes us look a little closer at how people treat one another. You can see how Enid wants to be better through Rebecca but her attitude and her love for Seymour clouds everything. And just when you think Enid's reached a good point in her life, the film takes even more interesting turns.
Zwigoff, like Cameron Crowe before him, has a knack for giving three dimensions to his supporting characters. One I loved was Illieana Douglas who is teaching a summer art class Enid must take for graduating credit. Douglas' character rejects the critical aspect of teaching and just loves everything. Another is a shirtless, nunchuck wielding store customer that has his own attitude to the world, and reminds me of that strange guy you see in a store every now and then and never really get to know.
"Ghost World" is a brave, original film that has everything going for it: strong writing, a director with a vision, near perfect performances, a good sense of humour, a terrific soundtrack, all culled together into such an ambitious and mindblowing film that is really about something. It has a thing or two to teach us about life and relationships, and even through we see it through the sullen eyes of Enid, by the end, we're the better for it.
Seen at: Fifth Avenue Cinemas, Vancouver BC
And stay for those credits!
Note: This is the first review posted to the "At The Movies" section. I thought I would choose my favorite film of the year (so far) to post instead of my recent views. --JW
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Posted by Jason Whyte, "At The Movies" Moderator. Feel free to email me at jason-whyte@yahoo.com with any comments or questions.
"I'm not gonna let the elevator bring us down
Oh no, let's go...let's go crazy" Prince, Purple Rain
