Synopsis: In The Ghost Writer, a ghost writer uncovers a dark secret while working on the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister.
Release Date: February 19, 2010 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Thriller, Drama
Film Review
Production
Every great mystery should start with a murder. Perhaps not every one must, but in The Ghost Writer‘s case it develops a very large unanswered question and casts doubt upon many of the characters from the very beginning while also lending a token of comic relief that will radiate throughout the film. The murdered man or apparent suicide, we do not know as this is a mystery, is the ghost writer to a former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan). It is the replacement ghost writer (Ewan McGregor) that we, as viewers, come to depend on to unlock the secrets of the ex-Prime Ministers life and unravel the mystery of whether he did commit the atrocities he is being accused of by the International Court and/or was involved with the untimely death of his former ghost writer.
To reveal exactly what he is accused of would be to reveal far too much of The Ghost Writer’s plot and would no less spoil much of the excitement that comes with the revelations throughout the film. The drama and moderate thrills unfold at a meticulous pace never once allowing your mind to wander or having you believe you have solved the puzzle before the main character. Up until the very last scene you will be guessing, conjecturing, and fully engrossed in unearthing the truth and revealing the secrets of a conspiracy that goes deeper than you can imagine. All the while also reveling in the unique temperament of the characters and their penchant for sarcasm and dry humor that comes from the impeccable adaptation of the novel the film is based upon done by the Director himself, Roman Polanski, and Robert Harris as screenwriters.
Score and Soundtrack
With the foreboding mystery that surrounds The Ghost Writer, Alexandre Desplat’s score plays a most important role in supplying the emotional response from the viewer needed to build suspense. Drawing from what may be termed the “Hitchcockian method” the music appears to be on a loop throughout The Ghost Writer. The same notes and rhythm can be heard repeating themselves over and over again, with slight variances or levels, but nonetheless it is a methodical use of music to portray the circular motions of the main character, The Ghost (Ewan McGregor), as he tries to make sense of and find answers to the questions that arise. The music is a constant reminder of the mystery that revolves around the many characters and the secrets they possess. It informs the viewer to always remember what has come before, pay attention to what is happening now, and to think about just how the twists and turns and revelations will ultimately solve the conspiratorial riddle the story creates.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Roman Polanski
- Screenwriter: Roman Polanski, Robert Harris
- Cast: Ewan McGregor (The Ghost), Kim Cattrall (Amelia Bly), Pierce Brosnan (Adam Lang), James Belushi (John Maddox), Timothy Hutton (Sidney Kroll), Tom Wilkinson (Paul Emmett)
- Other Crew: Herve de Luze, Pawel Edelman, Albrecht Konrad, Dinah Collin, Alexandre Desplat
- Country Of Origin: France, Germany
