The Ghost Writer (2010)

Ghost Writer (2010)

Too Soon to Whisper Oscar?

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

5 word Summary

Hired writer learns too much

A ghostwriter is hired to finish the memoirs of an ex prime minister of England because the previous writer has died, murder? Or accident? They are not sure. The Writer slowly uncovers secrets that put his life at stake as well. The Prime Minister is being accused of war crimes, but was it him?

The film starts seemingly slow, but not boring by any means. Once McGregor's character starts the work on the novel you see a storm brewing in the background. Whenever he is getting information, either on his own or being told by Brosnan you see wind, rain, or at least storm clouds moving in, showing that … well a storm is coming.

As McGregor finds out information he gets more and more confused and with the brilliant directing by Polanski you get just as confused. But it's a good confused. Its not that you don't understand what's happening as he finds stuff out, you're just as caught up in the mystery as he is, wondering what the… is going on? You never get more information than he does, you never get less, its perfect. And as in most thrillers, you get information that you don't realize is important, just like he does.

****spoiler****

As the movie nears the end you think, just like McGregor, that Brosnan is without a doubt responsible for the crimes hes charged with. He has connections to the CIA that date back to when he started politics. like the first writer said its all in the beginnings. CIA hired him to do their bidding. ITS OBVIOUS! The story starts to wind down… OK, I guess it was decent but that just wasn't enough of a hit, even after Brosnan gets killed it just … seems like a let down, cause its just so obvious he was doing the CIA's bidding… or is it? beginnings, meaning when he started politics, met certain people? No. beginning of the chapters… and that's when he sees it. Brosnan's wife was recruited by the CIA. You forgot, didn't you, (I did) or at least didn't think it was important. His wife mentioned that he listens to her all the time, and almost always asks for her opinion and almost always follows it. So they recruited her to marry him so she can manipulate him into doing what the CIA wants. Brilliant

*****end spoilers*****

So as I mentioned the directing is amazing, its to early I think to say Oscar but it will definitely be worth a nomination in my book. Cinematography, acting, writing, everything was just great.

It was Rosemary's baby/ Chinatown style Polanski meets Hitchcock, and how can that be a bad thing?

I don't usually really enjoy political thrillers, I usually get lost. But this one was one of the best I think, never got lost and just could not look away. Not Polanski's best, but id say second behind The Pianist.