The Ghost
(2010)
Distractingly titled, Roman Polanski’s adaptation of Robert Harris’
novel actually concerns a ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) hired to compile the
memoirs of a former British Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan).
The slow-burn claustrophobia here put me very much in mind of earlier France-based
Polanski fare like Frantic and The Ninth Gate. Being conscious of where
he shoots his films makes it more difficult to believe America is America (I
had that problem with Eyes Wide Shut
too) but, that aside, I really enjoyed this, an assured piece of work replete
with the director’s hallmark paranoia and unease.
McGregor's generally watchable, but he somehow slipped into a place
where he never really seems to stretch himself following his career-making
turns in early Danny Boyle films. Pierce Brosnan, and particularly Olivia
Williams, are excellent.
****
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