Grant Morrison, 17/05/2009
Ghost World is an incredibly quirky and charming little film and as a result, it deserves a quirky and charming little review. So this review will be presented in the style of a poem alright here we go.
Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson are hot, Steve Buscemi is not. And this is not working in the slightest. Not only is it rude, but it is terribly unfunny. As a result I am going to revert to plan b, and quote a few words from a story a wise man once told. He spoke of how he met a waitress in a cocktail bar, picked her up, shook her up and then turned her around. Turned her into something completely different, rejuvenated her if you will. And I believe the director Terry Zwigoff accomplished this rejuvenation with both Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson in this movie.
Birch and Johansson play Enid and Rebecca, social outcasts newly graduated from high school. The film is centred on these two characters, as they attempt to put in place their plan for the future. And that pretty much sums up the plot. It may not have the most intricate story ever seen on the motion picture screen, but it has some impressive intricate characters that allow it to get the thumbs up. Birch for me shines out the brightest between the two girls; however it is Steve Buscemi for me that steals the entire show followed closely behind by Dave Sheridan who plays Doug.
Buscemi plays Seymour, an obtuse acquaintance that the two girls discover. In particularly Seymour catches the eye of Enid and a relationship develops, if you can call it that. Partner in loneliness has been used and it does indeed fit so I will leave it as that.
Some critics before me have shown a strong affection for the film, I however don't have such a strong inkling for it. Do not get me wrong, I think the film is great. Packed full of charm, and scenes that give you a smile, but it didn't blow me away. It was fine, I enjoyed my stay in Ghost World and I was content when the film finished but it just didn't grab me with two full loving arms. It was more of a one arm around the shoulder sort of deal, nice and fuzzy but lacking that certain something. Just can't quite put my finger on it though....Regardless, give Ghost World a little watch a see what comes of it.
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