Ghost Town Review

Another movie review from FreshMmm. I swear one of these days I'll actually get a review out in time for opening weekend. In the meantime, why not keep an eye on what's making it's way into the discount/second-run theaters? This one you can probably still find at your local multiplex (well, who's to say with the recent bevy of new releases)...Ghost Town!

David Koepp returns to the director's chair with Ghost Town, starring the hilarious Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, and Greg Kinnear. SNL fans will also be happy to know that the increasingly popular Kristen Wiig is at it again, stealing a few scenes in this gem of a film

The Gist: Irritable and acerbic dentist Bertram Pincus (Gervais) has a hospital mishap lead to a near-death experience, and is afterwards able to see and communicate with ghosts. Said ghosts begin to badger him with final requests and stories of woe and heartache. Grouchy by nature, the last thing Pincus wants is more people to deal with, but he finally agrees, albeit begrudgingly, to help at least one of them out, when the recently deceased Frank Herlihy (Kinnear) promises to get the other ghosts to leave him alone if he'll just help his wife (Leoni) shake an unwelcome new suitor.

What starts off as a somewhat familiar premise quickly grows into a charming and refreshingly vibrant take on life, death, and second chances. Gervais is in tip-top shape here as the surly dentist, and if there are any Americans out there still unfamiliar with his work, this is a great introduction to his fantastic talent. He nails the nuances of the role Koepp has scribed for him, both in his physical performance and subtle delivery. Kinnear is also effortlessly funny in this role, and serves as a good friend and foil to Bertram Pincus. Leoni is really well cast here, as a beautiful, successful, but still incredibly vulnerable widow. She brings heart to this picture, and is the grounding force amidst the wackiness of Bertram's uptightness and Frank's odd...situation.

I want to go back a bit and focus on Gervais' performance. Despite working with what I believe to be a very smart and well-written script, Gervais still is a large part of why this movie works. He's severe but still funny, and despite all his bastardly qualities, gives us enough humanity to sympathize with that we actually grow to like him quite a bit. Without giving away too much, as we learn about his past, we come to see Bertram as a wounded character who's never really learned to properly heal. This puts him in a similar situation as Leoni's Gwen, and we understand how these two seemingly completely different characters can come to share a powerful bond. Gervais, and in fact Leoni as well, do wonders bringing the characters on the page to life, and really inhabit their roles. Kinnear is no slouch either, but Gervais seemed to tackle his complex and layered character with a masterful charm. Gone are the Andy Millman or David Brent quirks you might be familiar with, even used to. Here Gervais shows some real depth, some flex, and he knocks it out of the park.

Now getting back to the movie itself. Koepp has taken what could have easily been a formulaic romantic comedy and turned it into a very enjoyable, highly original movie. Those familiar with his work shouldn't be too surprised--a quick look at his IMDb page will show you that he's had a hand in some very impressive projects over the years. With Ghost Town, not only is he able to craft a real and fresh portrait of two people overcoming their many differences to fall in love, but he's able to do it within the context of a cheesy ghost story--without making it seem cheesy at all. We've all seen some version of this tale--loved ones who've died need the help of the living to move on. After a big to-do and some teary-eyed moments, the ghost is able to move on and everyone lives happily ever after. Koepp takes that highly-processed, cookie-cutter version of the story and throws it all out. Instead he offers a fresh new take on the idea of ghosts and how they haunt the living. It's a very romantic imagining, and one that's able to find new life in the structure of traditional lost-loved-ones-as-ghosts stories.

I don't want to give too much away, so I won't divulge any more plot details, but let me just say again how absolutely watchable this film is. This is what movies should do--entertain the audience. Challenge them a bit, but at the end of the day, make sure they have a good time. And most importantly, tell a good story. This movie accomplishes that easily, and it becomes an absolute pleasure just to take a moment and step into this world and enjoy the company of its characters. They come with their share of flaws and miseries, but their troubles and their attempts to find or avoid happiness are completely human, and completely engaging.

Anyone sick of the uber-raunchy humor of the Apatow gang or the tired reiteration of formulaic romantic comedies should check this movie out. Even someone not particularly interested in a movie with a romantic theme. If you want to watch a movie that will genuinely please you on a human level, check out this film. It's scary good!

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OK yeah, I know, but I couldn't resist. Don't let that last comment turn you off from seeing this thing. Just get out there and watch it!

The Verdict: 20 (out of 21) -- Just about perfect.

Links for interest and links for purchase below!

'Till next time...