Plot: A ghostwriter, Ewan McGregor, is a writer hired by a British ex-Foreign Minster Lang (Pierce Brosnan) to write his autobiography. The previous writer died unexpectedly. Lang is accused of war crimes, and has continuing political and anti-terrorism roles. Meanwhile, thugs try repeatedly to steal the book.
Review: This is an intelligent and entertaining movie that was well-acted and well-directed. Director and child-rapist Roman Polanski is a talented director, and I really liked this film. It is clearly a well-crafted movie that moves smartly from set-up to climax with building tension and intelligent dialog. There is enough comedic lightness to keep the mood up, since the basic geo-political plot line is heavy.
The co-stars Olivia Williams, who plays Lang's wife, and Pierce Brosnan give vivid, dynamic and occasionally funny contributions. I'd give Olivia an Oscar nomination.
The ghostwriter is unnamed in the film, as a joke that ghost writer's names don't appear on their work. Although a sophamoric joke, I did not realized Ewan McGregor's character did not have a name until the movie was over.
Like last week's movie, Green Zone this is an overtly political movie, but the politics is from the British point of view, and the movie is not preachy about it -- so the movie works better.
I enjoyed this movie, and I wonder why more people don't see it -- especially with the lack of good movies in the theater now. Maybe it is too British, but I think you can get past that.
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams
Directed by: Roman Polanski, based on the book by Robert Harris
Rating: 3.5 flasks
More: I don't know how admitted child rapist Roman Polanski managed to direct a movie while he is jail. Obviously a talented fellow, but that is not a Get Out of Jail Free Card.
Even more: I never comment on sound editing. If I notice bad sound effects -- it must be quite bad, and I thought the sound-effects were un-natural throughout.
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