A gripping murder mystery involving an English ex-Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan), his wife (Olivia Williams), mistress (Kim Cattrall), and a recently deceased ghostwriter who was assigned to revise his memoirs. Roman Polanski directed ‘The Ghost Writer’ (titled ‘The Ghost’ in UK & Ireland).
The replacement (Ewan McGregor) reluctantly takes the job, but is quickly entangled in a web of lies, deceit, and a vast political conspiracy that threatens to engulf his entire career and in the worst case scenario – deliver him to a similar sinister fate as his predecessor. Perhaps the memoirs of this powerful man are just too sensitive for those that don’t have a clear idea of the nature of the clandestine “going-ons”.
Burn after reading, and all that.
‘The Ghost Writer’
a neo-noir infused tale that takes place primarily on the rain-soaked shores of Martha’s Vineyard, an isle in the state of Massachusetts. ‘The Ghost Writer’ offers many beautifully framed shots of the grayly plangent countryside.
The film was written by Robert Harris and Roman Polanski – an adaptation of Harris’s political thriller novel, simply named ‘The Ghost’. Both book, and film, are loosely inspired by events that took place before and after real-life UK PM Tony Blair’s tenure in office – the retelling is heavily dramatized, mind you.
“…there was no need for the cast of Roman Polanski’s “The Ghost Writer” to have long, philosophical discussions about the movie’s creepy real-life parallels.
It wasn’t necessary, for example, to dissect Brosnan’s character, a hazily sinister British ex-prime minister who’s a dead ringer for Tony Blair…” -LA Times,
By Reed Johnson / Feb. 14 2010
Robert Harris is certainly an accomplished novelist; one of his more recent releases ‘Conclave’ (2016) spawned a film adaptation by the same name; which is up for an Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards this year. Although he hasn’t quite acquired the notariety of authors that consistently hit the top-sellers list; his writing is regularly acclaimed and positively received. The majority of his works focus on historical and geo-political subjects, stitching together factual and fictionalized accounts in an attempt to shed light on often debated topics. Harris also at times employs alternative history in his writing: similar to the sci-fi novelist Phillip K. Dick author of the ‘Man in the High Castle’, ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep’, and ‘A Scanner Darkly’.
Examples of Harris’ written-works that fit this description include
(but are not limited to):
Fatherland (1992)
- Instantly hit the UK top-sellers list; sold over 3 million copies
- The novel has been translated into 25 languages.
- British scholar Nancy Browne claims Harris may have drawn inspiration from Ernest Hemingway’s ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ based on the similarities of both books endings. [2]
- Conceptualizes an alternate history in which the Axis powers won World War 2 but did not invade or occupy the USA.
Pompeii (2003)
- Roman Polanski planned to direct an adaptation of ‘Pompeii’ in 2007, prior to making ‘The Ghost Writer’ but ended up cancelling the project last minute due in-part to the impending writers strike. [3]
- Robert Harris has been quoted as saying that his book Pompeii “was at least partly inspired or influenced by Polanski’s film ‘Chinatown’.
- The novel’s repeated motif of comparing contemporary America with ancient Rome bears a resemblance to Megalopolis – a recently released surrealist art-film epic with avant-garde overtones – by Martin Scorsese.
Enigma (1995)
- Adapted into a successful film starring Benedict Cumberbatch (released 2001). Tells the story of Tom Jericho, a genius mathematician who built the machine that cracked the Nazi’s “unbreakable” encryption/cipher in WW2.
Archangel (1998)
- Adapted into a television series for the BBC in 2005.
- Based in modern day Russia, but utilizes a flashback/storytelling writing device to examine the death of the former head of the Soviet Union; the main character is told the events of Stalin’s demise by an elderly man who claims to have been present for it.
- The show stars Daniel Craig, Yekaterina Rednikova, and Gabriel Macht. It’s also available on most streaming platforms.
The score in ‘The Ghost Writer’ is as much a character as anyone acting in the film and that is not a knock at the acting ability of those present in the film.
Indeed, McGregor, Brosnan, providing intrigue through their cat-and-mouse verbal maneuvering is beyond perfect.
The duo balance passivity and aggression very gingerly, their retorts always riding the line of confrontation but rarely crossing it. Difficult as balancing spinning plates on sticks, but they never miss a beat.
A final monologue by Pierce Brosnan on the topic of torture techniques (enhanced interrogation) and his Cabinet’s, and the British Govt.’s involvement, really drives home the idea that PM Lang believes strongly in the axiom “the end justifies the means”. Even if this belief comes at great cost to his own morality. Unnerving scene, excellent monologue – gave me shivers.
Kim Cattrall employs a taciturn yet severe and commanding presence, staying true to the administrative nature of her character. Amelia Bly, the PM’s secretary/assistant, who is later revealed to also be his lover. Dual roles as administrator and betrayer are contrasting in nature, which is why a reserved portrayal works to the benefit of the character.
Internally conflicted, externally resolute.
Olivia Williams really carries a large portion of the beginning of this film, in the role of Ruth Lang (the PM’s wife) providing much-needed exposition surrounding the early life of Adam Lang, his entrance into poliitics, and their relationship. Lengthy exposition in this case is not a fault of the screenwriter, rather a side effect of adapting a densely written political thriller. Ruth Lang is a complex combination of posh upbringing, intimidating prowess, intellectuality, and seductive manipulation masked as vulnerability. Olivia Williams breaths life into the role and delivers a devastating performance.
Jon Bernthal bookends the film nicely as “The Ghost’s” agent, he appears at the beginning and very near to the end. He also phones his client midway through, to check on the status of the memoirs. The character succeeds as a partial through-line, providing structure, as well as a reminder of the less absurd world outside of the bubble of espionage the protagonist has found himself trapped in.
Oh, and before I forget!
That score is truly sublime: it urges the actions of the unnamed protagonist (McGregor’s character is simply known as “The Ghost) forward as he uncovers more clues and tid-bits, slowly putting the puzzle pieces together. The melodies are haunting, with lower-mixed volume they provide a backdrop to the visuals; rarely overpowering the actors or set-pieces. The arrangement is extremely reminiscent of older noir thrillers, orchestral and evokes nostalgia.
The score for ‘The Ghost Writer’ was composed by the French maestro Alexander Desplat. He’s the recipient of three BAFTA Awards, two Grammys, two Golden Globes and his work on ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ and ‘The Shape of Water’ both netted him Academy Awards.
Rating
9/10
Pair with white wine, even though…
“I’ve never quite seen the point to it.”
_____________
Sources:
[1]
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-14-la-ca-polanski14-2010feb14-story.html
‘Ghost Writer’s’ real-life parallels haunt the movie and director Roman Polanski
Los Angeles Times
By Reed Johnson
Feb. 14, 2010 12 AM PT
[2]”Dr. Nancy Browne, “In the perspective of a half a century after the event: Anti-Fascist and Anti-Nazi Resistance in English-language Popular Culture” in Tamara Baxter (ed.) “Multi-Disciplinary Round Table on the Lasting Heritage of the Twentieth Century”.