If you want to see a psychologically suspenseful film, set on a gray windswept island, you can choose from either Ghost Writer or Shutter Island. The similarities are pronounced, both are based on novels, and are told solely from the point of view of the central character. Both maintain a relentless level of suspense throughout, with a twist at the end that makes you go "ah ha!"
Ghost Writer is based on a book by Robert Harris, who also wrote Red Dragon. For those of you who might not know, Hannibal Lector first appears in Red Dragon as a secondary character.
The film begins with an abandoned vehicle on a ferry. The next scene is of a body washed up on the beach in a pounding surf. As the viewer is pondering this turn of events, we cut to London where a ghost writer (Ewan McGregor), oddly known only as "ghost" throughout the film, is meeting with nervous editors about taking over a project with a thirty day deadline. Seems that the original ghost is the body that washed up on that island shore. Ghost is being paid a boat load of money to finish the memoirs of Adam Lang, a former British Prime Minister played in Tony Blair-like style by Pierce Brosnan.
Things immediately go awry when after accepting the job, Ghost is mugged by a mysterious duo on a motorcycle, taking from him an unread manuscript. It was given to him by Lang's attorney (Timothy Hutton) and was allegedly written by one of his friends. While he is in route to the island, a story is leaked to the press about the former PM's involvement in handing terror suspects over to the CIA for torture. Both Ghost and I began to wonder if the stolen manuscript was actually THE manuscript. Upon his arrival to the island Ghost finds security surrounding the manuscript very tight and unleakable. He is introduced to a mysterious cast of characters, Lang's wife, personal assistant and various other staff who all treat him like an interloper. Struggling with jet lag and fatigue and thrown off balance by the stifling and cryptic atmosphere, Ghost begins to investigate not only the death of his predecessor, but also his subject, who may not be what he seems.
McGregor is dead on with his portrayal of Ghost as a regular guy, caught up in extraordinary circumstances. In fact a great deal of the suspense derives from Ghost grappling with the notion that something is amiss and he really is in danger. Brosnan seems to have hit his post Bond stride with roles like this one. He portrays Lang as mostly affable with a volatile streak that leaves the viewer wondering just exactly who he is.
The film is directed by Roman Polanski, so even though the island is supposed to be in the US, it was actually filmed in Germany. There was a moment of derisive laughter in the theater when Lang, due to his role in the torture of the terror suspects, is indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. He is advised by his attorney that he is safe as long as he is in the United States because our government doesn't recognize the court's jurisdiction along with countries like China, India and Russia. Kim Cattrall has a nice turn as Lang's assistant where she gets to speak in her British voice for a change. It was fun to see her play something besides Samantha Jones, although Amelia is a much more subdued character.
Ghost Writer will keep you guessing until the end, and even then you find out something you probably did not suspect at all. (Photo Credit to Summit Entertainment)
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