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Ghost World review
:. Director: Terry Zwigoff
:. Starring: Thora Birch, Steve Buscemi
:. Running Time: 1:51
:. Year: 2001
:. Country: USA
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Ghost World is a remarkably fresh new film. Armed with razor-sharp sarcastic wit, it leaves you with the urge to tell everyone you know to WATCH THIS FILM. At first glance the title Ghost World may trick a lot of people into thinking that it's about ghosts or other spooky things, but the title has meaning at a metaphoric level, which actually represents the "new" world taking over the "older" world. Ghost World also may seem like another teenager flick, but that can't be further from the truth. An "anti-teen" movie is a better label.
Ghost World is based upon a Graphic Novel written by Daniel Clowes of the same name, which was highly revered by many circles dealing with underground comics. The movie is perfectly brought to life by Terry Zwigoff, who obtained his fame from his critically acclaimed debut film Crumb. Ghost World, a lower budget, word-of-mouth film boasts quite a bit of talent. The actors, led by the extremely talented and uniquely beautiful Thora Birch (American Beauty) coupled with the equally stunning Scarlett Johansson (The Man Who Wasn't There), are absolutely perfect in their roles as best friends. Playing opposite the pair is veteran journeyman actor Steve Buscemi (Fargo, Reservoir Dogs) who does an extremely effective job portraying Seymour, an odd social outcast.
The premise of the story revolves around best friends who have just graduated from high school. Birch plays Enid, a confused and sexually frustrated misanthrope. Enid's best friend Rebecca, acted by Johansson is a realistic scruffy-voiced blonde with her priorities set. They are not girls of the average variety; they go against the flow and are always ready to speak their mind. Enid, more so than Rebecca, feels as though she is lost and does not belong in their mainstream society. She is a young girl who is looking for her own identity. She knows what kind of people she hates, but she no clue as to what she likes. Her identity confusion is shown in the film as her apparel is never static and she constantly tries new looks. Rebecca on the other hand actually becomes less and less similar to Enid as the movie goes on. She has a more realistic approach to life, and almost starts trying to fit into normal society. She takes on a job at a little café, and is prepared to enter the endless routine of work-life so she can move out on her own.
For a little joke to amuse themselves the two girls answer a personals ad in the paper and end up meeting the lonely outsider nerd Seymour played by Buscemi, a reclusive record collector who would much rather live in the darkness and nostalgia of his room than to face the rest of humanity. Enid starts the develop a slight crush on him, mainly because they have many things in common. Ghost World is very complex, multi-faceted film that deals with the little things in life juxtaposed with a sarcastic sense of humor that nealry becomes cynical. The humor is actually wickedly funny and ironic. The film touches upon human nature, and the complications of any kind of human relationships. Ghost World accurately and uncompromisingly depicts the way in which longtime friendships can grow apart as time goes by, and as people start to mature, they change. The way the film shows Enid and Rebecca slowly realizing that they no longer have anything in common is subtly, but masterfully done.
The soundtrack of the film is also something of note. It is very different when contrasted with other "teen" movies. The selection of old Blues tracks goes along very well with the film. I highly recommend this film to everyone, it has it all from superb acting to a superb script a dialogue. You truly cannot miss this.
Bertrand Kwon
 Movie Reviews: from 1998 to 2011
New Film Reviews since 2012
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