Ghost Town Review
Ghost Town
Directed by: David Koepp
Written by: David Koepp and John Kamps
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Tea Leoni, Kristen Wiig, Billy Campbell
There are plenty of British comedians who have tried to make it big in Hollywood over the years, but only a few have successfully managed to break through to American audiences. The simple fact of the matter is that not everyone has the irresistible charm and broad appeal of, say, Hugh Grant, and when you factor in the many cultural differences that need to be overcome, it’s always a bit of a crapshoot.
Although Ricky Gervais now has a strong fanbase and a couple of internationally acclaimed TV shows under his belt with The Office and Extras, it remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to become a massive movie star. He has been notoriously picky about the projects he chooses to get involved in, biding his time with some smaller roles in For Your Consideration, Stardust, and Night at the Museum, while waiting for the perfect starring vehicle to come along. He seemed to be playing it smart, right up until he announced that his first headlining role would be in Ghost Town… a romantic comedy from the director of Stir of Echoes and Secret Window?
Initially I could see why Ricky Gervais might be drawn to this story. Bertram Pincus is a dentist who hates people, a middle-aged miser who lives alone and can’t help being rude and ignorant to everyone around him. One day he goes under the knife for a routine procedure, only to wake up with the new found ability to see ghosts. It turns out he died for a few minutes on the operating table before being revived, and now he is inundated with ghosts who need him to help finish their business with the world of the living. One such ghost is Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear), a fast-talking business man who was cheating on his wife (Tea Leoni) just before he died.
One of the initial problems here is that Bertram Pincas is even more mean-spirited than any of the characters that Gervais has played previously, and it’s pretty hard to root for him. His insults aren’t accidental and harmless, they’re just plain malicious, and there is little tension as he goes about his business because he doesn’t care about what people think anyway. The people around him seem to have just accepted the fact that he is a jerk.
However, the point of the movie is that this bitter man eventually comes out of his shell and learns to fall in love, which is precisely where Gervais seems most out of place. Although I think he can be charming when necessary, there is just something peculiar and off-putting about seeing Ricky Gervais in a lot of these typical romantic situations. Let’s face it: Hugh Grant he is not, and although the movie stays fairly innocent (don’t worry, there are no sex scenes to endure), I found it difficult to get emotionally invested in his relationship with Tea Leoni.
On the comedy side, Gervais does manage to successfully convey the awkwardness of a first date, and has enough chemistry with Greg Kinnear that some of their scenes are moderately amusing. If only the humour wasn’t so damn predictable, maybe something could have been salvaged here. I mean, how many times have we seen the “weird guy talking to thin air” gag anyway? There are a couple of moments where Gervais’ dark humour seems to shine through (including one borderline racist slip of the tongue), but they are the only blips on what is otherwise a pretty flatlined comedy. If anything, it only reminded me how much better it could have been if Gervais had written the script himself.
I hate to say it, but I think this role called for someone like Tom Hanks or Jack Nicholson instead, and although the casting of Gervais is the only remotely interesting thing about the movie, his mere presence is not enough to completely reshape the film. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s still a mediocre romantic comedy that’s a little too cute for its own good. Even Simon Pegg’s recent rom-com Run Fatboy Run was much more inspired, taking advantage of Pegg’s personality and surrounding him with a fun cast of characters. Ghost Town feels… well… deserted by comparison.
I will concede that the movie is at least watchable for the most part, and I know that there is an older crowd out there who will find it totally sweet and heartwarming. I’m just not a part of that crowd. Perhaps I am being overly harsh simply because I am a big fan of Ricky Gervais and I really wanted to see his patience pay off. On the flip side, though, I think some critics are giving this movie a pass just because he is in it, meanwhile ignoring the fact that it’s bland, corny, and wildly uneven by anyone’s standards. — Sean
SCORE: 
Recommended If You Like: Just Like Heaven, Ghost Dad, Scrooged
Comments (10)
If the film is little more than Gervais’ attempt to break out of the “cult following” category and find some mainstream American success, more power to him. He deserves it, and Ghost Town is an auspicious start.
When it comes to success he seems climbing Ricky Gervais done it in style with
Posted by Devide Frandy on September 19th, 2008Ghost town. Americans boosting their lives with tiny little tings happen. They are just arrived with so much enthusiasm.. Ghost town is well made cucumber to melt movie lovers’ taste. That is the only big reason I am waiting for this movie. My self is always habited and turn to http://www.80millionmoviesfree.com because it is easy and reliable.
Never break ups. And trusted site to watch movies.
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Posted by Drew on September 19th, 2008Um…
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1190970-ghost_town/
87% on RottenTomatoes. Even if I end up agreeing with you, I think when you get that high, you’re beyond the ‘free-pass-just-because-its-X’ mark.. Clearly this movie has an audience, enough so that I’m going to give it a chance sooner or later.
Posted by Goon on September 19th, 2008I keep wondering what we missed. I mean, on top of it all, we saw Ghost Town at the festival, where as we discussed previously, you’re usually more likely to see something in a positive light. I’d be interested to hear what you think if you do end up watching it Goon.
Posted by Sean on September 20th, 2008Well we’ll see. I may see it in theaters, simply because there’s nothing else out, and because I have way too many passes right now.
There’s a Subway right next to the theater, which is near my house. If you get any sub there, even the 3 dollar ones, you can get movie passes for 7 bucks. So… lunch and movie ticket for less than regular price of the ticket. I’ve got passes coming out of my asses.
Posted by Goon on September 20th, 2008I’m still wondering if this is a gem of a movie that’s being unfairly ignored. I just read a 4 star review of the movie. I’m not sure if Sean and I have the same taste in movies. I’m not sure if Sean appreciates mature and subtle humour. He and Jay like Jack-Ass and Kenny vs. Spenny and stuff of that ilk. I’m not saying that someone can’t appreciate both mature and immature humour. Has anyone else seen this movie?
I just discovered that Ricky Gervais turned down a role in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek. Gervais’ explanation: “I was never a big fan, so I would’ve felt guilty taking the part just to be in a blockbuster. To what? Boost my profile?”
Posted by Reed Farrington on September 28th, 2008This coming from the guy who likes Dude Where’s My Car and Deuce Bigalow Male Gigolo? I’m sure you’d love Ghost Town.
Posted by Sean on September 28th, 2008A while back I read that David Foster Wallace, a hipster post-modernist author, spoke about the need for art that is sincere and does not always try to be hip irony. I’m not sure that this movie is great art, but it may be better than the review above allows. There is something sweet here. And though Hollywood, it could be worse.
The taoist
Posted by g. martinez cabrera on September 29th, 2008http://www.taoofboo.com
The film was average at best imo and was very similar to ‘How to lose friends and alienate people’. This time though, instead of it being a stupid person we are presented with an anti social one instead.
Without Gervais the film would have been nothing and isn’t it actually nice to say that, being a British comedian! Its great to see him hold his own in Hollywood even if he should have starred in a better film.
Posted by Hunter on November 18th, 2008I agree with Sean’s review. It starts off with a hint of promise but once he starts seeing ghosts it actually becomes extremely bland and slow. I didn’t find it corny or Capra-ish, but it was simply too boring to be sweet.
Posted by Goon on January 6th, 2009Leave a Reply