GHOST TOWN

Dentistry. What a strange profession for someone to be involved with! Alright. I know that it isn't as peculiar as 'muck-raking' or 'badger-baiting'. But come on. You have to wonder the mentality of a person who wants to look inside peoples mouths. Heck. Just as you have to wonder about this haunted film too! One Directed by David Koepp; and Starring: Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Téa Leoni, and Billy Campbell. It was set in enamel, in 2008, and wore off 98 minutes later.


Ghost Town


THE STORY:
So there I was. Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais). Your everyday English dentist, living in America. Laid out on an operating table, having a simple bowel operation. When suddenly -- OUCH! -- I died.

OK. I've got to admit. I don't die-die. Or else I wouldn't be standing here, telling you my story, would I? But I do snuff it for a short while, folk. For about several minutes in fact. Until the doctors involved bring me back to life again, brand spanking new.

OK again. Not new-new. Something strange does happens to me when I finally come to. Something so strange and bizarre that I find it quite difficult to actually comprehend.

Now how do I put this? Oh! I know. Out of the blue, my life is suddenly plagued by wandering spirits, all of whom plead for me to aide them with rectifying their pasts deeds. Furthermore, one spirit in particular -- called Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear) -- promises me that he will keep the other spirits at bay, just as long as I breaks up the relationship between his widow, Gwen (Tea Leoni), and her new love interest, Richard (Billy Campbell).

Yeah. I'm not pulling your leg, pal. That's what Frank wants. And that's what I... errr... eventually try to accomplish. Kind of. In a manner off speaking. Ish.

Still. That's most probably why what next transpires all goes 'Booo' when I begin to fall in love. As revelations are hard to swallow - hearts become hard to follow - redemption's are rough and full of sorrow - and at the end of the day reincarnation is a lot better than El' Pollo Loco.

THE REVIEW:
I've got to hold up my hands and confess that when I first heard Ricky (Frog-man) Gervais was going to star in a Hollywood film, I thought to myself, 'OH SH*T! NOT THAT PUG-FACED GIMP!'.

Hey! Wait a minute, folks. I do mean this will all due respect. This hasn't got anything to do with Ricky's comedic ability at all. In the past he has proven that he is a very talented individual, by writing, directing, and starring in his sitcoms, 'The Office' and 'Extras'. Instead, my initial doubt is all to do with an Englishman casting aside his comedic heritage, and then appearing in something that could be deemed 'cringe worthy' upon the big screen.

But no. I was completely wrong with my pious presumption. Ricky does a really good job at becoming a right miserable git in this movie. And proves that he will always be the master of the awkward silence, no matter what format it may take.

Admittedly, the overall story-line and classy-style this film conforms to does help with this immensely. Director / Scriptwriter, David Koepp, has crafted a great tale, and has chosen the appropriate man for the job -- as Ricky is just perfect in it.

Also, I have to mention that the rest of the cast are great in this flick too. Téa has great charisma. And lights up the screen whenever she appears on it. Greg has great flair. And has that amazing ability to make you like him / hate him at the drop of the hat. Billy has great warmth. There is no doubting that. Plus all the supporting players really do reinforce the whole film as a great cinematic masterpiece.

'Masterpiece?' you may mumble. 'Has our humble reviewer taken too many happy pills again?', you exclaim. Well? Maybe I have. However, I did find that this film was directed in a really classy style. A style that has truly made this movie more than what I honestly expected it to be. Here. Check out these filmic-facts for the full 411. (1) 'Paramount Pictures' first release this $20 million dollar production on the 19th of September, 2008, and clawed back $27 million dollars at the box office. (2) Most of this movie was shot on location at New York, New York, or else in Steiner Studios, 15 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn. (3) Loosely translated, this project was entitled 'A Ghost Annoying' in Argentina; 'City of Ghost' in Poland; and 'Live From The Other Side' in Sweden. (4) To name but a few, this movie references such movies as 'The Thin Man', 'It's a Wonderful Life, 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas!', 'The Shining', and 'Tootsie'. (5) This is one off the very few occasions where an original Beatles song has been used in a film: "I'm Looking Through You', created by Lennon and McCartney for their 1965 'Rubber Soul' Album. (6) The character Ricky plays in this flick, Doctor Bertram Pincus, is actually named after the inventor of dental veneers: Doctor Charles Pincus. (7) After this film pulled a filling, Ricky Gervais starred in 'The Invention of Lying'; Greg Kinnear starred in 'Flash of Genius'; and Téa Leoni starred in 'The Smell of Success'. (8) By in large this comedy received a lot of praise from the filmic-elite. 'Rotten Tomatoes' gave it a 85% rating. 'Metacritic' gave it 72 out of 100. And the 'Sunday Times' gave it three out of five stars.

Now where was I? Oh, yeah. My expectations for 'Ghost Town'. If truth be told, a small part of me was expecting to watch just another 'play it by numbers' silly comedy. But as I said up above, folks, what I got instead was a nicely presented tale that harked back to the movies of yesteryear. Where the leading man wasn't always polished. Where the film told an actual story. And where the comedy was funny too.

From my point of view it reminded me of an amalgamation of the films 'Ghost' -- starring Patrick Swayze -- 'Play it Again Sam' -- starring Woody Allen -- plus 'Scrooged' -- starring Bill Murray. Yep. That's correct. It's in the same league as these great romantic-comedy's. Here. Click on the following interview with Ricky to see what I mean by this...

Overall 'Ghost Town' isn't afraid of no ghosts. The comedy worked. The tale told a tale. The style was classy. And all in all it's a must watch movie for all of you film aficionados out there.

Nuff said.

THE RATING: A