Today’s quick review: The Ghost Writer. A writer (Ewan McGregor) accepts a job finishing the memoirs of Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), a former British prime minister who has just become embroiled in a political scandal. On a remote island, the writer gets to know Adam, his wife Ruth (Olivia Williams), and his assistant Amelia (Kim Cattrall). But the writer continues his work, he stumbles upon a secret tied to the untimely death of his predecessor.
The Ghost Writer is a political thriller about a writer’s search for the truth about a controversial politician. The Ghost Writer aims to be a haunting mystery that touches on British and American politics, as well as the War on Terror. However, in spite of a capable cast and an ominous atmosphere, the movie does not have a very strong bite. The combination of a slow start and a questionable payoff make it a miss for viewers looking for serious thrills.
The Ghost Writer’s main issue is that it doesn’t set its hook well. The movie is packed with hints that something is wrong with Lang and his entourage, but it offers precious few clues as to what. The audience is left to speculate on their own until the writer finally pulls together enough information to begin making guesses. By that point, the air of mystery has worn thin, and the answers, when they come, are disappointingly mundane.
The end result is a thriller that’s more bark than bite. The Ghost Writer has a decent premise for a mystery, but it does a poor job of escalating from its early setup to the meat of the investigation. Fans of political drama may get more out of it, since much of the movie is spent examining Lang’s unusual political career from within. But those looking for a tense mystery will find The Ghost Writer to be outclassed by other thrillers.
For a political thriller with more bite to it, try The Manchurian Candidate. For a psychological drama about a writer struggling with an assignment, check out Barton Fink. For a budget drama about a beleaguered politician, try The Runner. For a mystery about a political scandal in the making, try State of Play. For a spy story with a similar mystery, try The Good Shepherd.
7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for fine craftsmanship and a weak hook.