Film Review: The Ghost Writer

The Ghost Writer. 128 minutes. Rated MA15+. Directed by Roman Polanski. Screenplay by Roman Polanski and Robert Harris. Adapted from the novel The Ghost by Robert Harris.

The rich vein of undeniable political nous that is to be found in this grim, gloomy and intense political thriller from Roman Polanski (The Pianist, Chinatown, Tess, Rosemary’s Baby, The Tenant) makes for an absorbing film – and fans of intricate politically-motivated thrillers will love every minute of it. Harris’s terrifically taunt and candid script (that at times has the tone of a confession), benefits considerably from his experience as a news and current affairs BBC journalist and Political Editor of the UK’s The Observer.

With the assistance of a ‘ghost writer’ (someone who is paid to write a book that is credited to another author), British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan) is writing his memoirs. Following the mysterious death of his is first ghost writer, an un-named young writer, ‘The Ghost’ (played by Ewan McGregor), replaces him on a wind-swept island fortress. As Lang finds himself facing accusations of war crimes for Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war, The Ghost uncovers startling truths about his client’s political obligation to the Americans which, if they were ever to become public knowledge, would bring down the British Prime Minister and his government.

Unsurprisingly, the sun doesn’t appear to shine much in Mr Polanski’s world these days – and it doesn’t make a single appearance in this film. Post-production on The Ghost Writer was reportedly completed while the director was under house-arrest in Switzerland awaiting the outcome of an extradition attempt by the United States to face sex assault accusations dating back to March, 1977.

The stark photography from Cinematographer Pawel Edelman is perfect and Editor Hervé de Luze (both Oscar nominees for The Pianist) is in nail-bitingly good form, while Production Designer Albrecht Konrad’s fortress home set is a masterpiece. Alexandre Desplat’s score (Fantastic Mr Fox, The Queen) enhances the tense mood of the film perfectly.

Kim Cattrall (Samantha from Sex and The City) is great as Lang’s loyal PA, while Olivia Williams as his wife Ruth, absolutely nails every neurotic detail of the feisty First Lady who has a great deal to lose. Only Brosnan and McGregor fail to lose themselves entirely in the plot – choosing, instead, to play it deadly straight. And in a Roman Polanksi film, that’s always an obvious mistake.

This review was commissioned by the Geraldton Newspaper Group and an edited version of it appeared in the printed edition of The Geraldton Guardian.