Thursday, March 29, 2007

Review - Ghost World

"Ghost World" is a dark comedy/teen drama, based on a comic book series by Daniel Clowes.
Best friends Enid and Rebecca have just graduated high school. The pair of disinterested slackers plan to move into an apartment together, provided they can find jobs and Enid can finish a summer-school art class she needs to graduate. While hanging out one day, they look through the want-ads and find a particularly depressing one. They call the number to play a vicious prank on the placer of the ad. When the pair follow the man to his home, Enid actually begins to care for someone other than herself...and her whole world begins to quickly unravel as a result.
This is a different movie. Enid and Rebecca are quite possibly the most foul-mouthed individuals you will ever meet...and it seems as if all they care about are themselves. At first glance, you wonder how you can ever truly care about such a couple. However, by an excellent script and wonderful performances by the actresses playing the pair, you truly begin to side with them. Thora Birch delivers an especially strong turn as Enid, who goes through a great deal of soul-searching and personal change as the movie progresses. And the always entertaining Steve Buscemi turns in an outstanding performance as a wise and world-wearied record collector.
Granted, not everyone will get this movie. There is very little in the way of action, and it is the dialogue between the characters that keeps this movie moving forward. But, if you are interested in a unique dark comedy, "Ghost World" is the place for you.
Starring - Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas and Steve Buscemi. Directed by Terry Zwigoff.
Time - 1 hour, 51 minutes. Rated - R (Language, sexual content, mild violence)

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