The Ghost Writer
Summit Distribution | Release Date: February 19, 2010
7.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 256 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
203
Mixed:
28
Negative:
25
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
PatMar 3, 2010
Too long and too contrived, I did not like it. And the sex was gratuitous.
3 of 5 users found this helpful
4
DavidYMar 29, 2010
Rather predictable, and somewhat slow, the film failed to thrill or provide interesting suspense. The dialogue was well written, and the tone was spot on - helped in large part by Alexandre's Desplat's score, but in the end, I left Rather predictable, and somewhat slow, the film failed to thrill or provide interesting suspense. The dialogue was well written, and the tone was spot on - helped in large part by Alexandre's Desplat's score, but in the end, I left the theater disappointed. I would have given the film a 5/10, but for the final shot - Polanski should be embarrassed by such a cliche ending.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
6
conschobharNov 15, 2010
The Ghost Writer is a film that sticks with you after a first viewing, and certainly encourages another viewing. I can think of few higher compliments than this. I'd forgotten how cool Ewan McGregor is, and Olivia Williams is smoldering inThe Ghost Writer is a film that sticks with you after a first viewing, and certainly encourages another viewing. I can think of few higher compliments than this. I'd forgotten how cool Ewan McGregor is, and Olivia Williams is smoldering in this film. However, the mysterious tension that makes this film great ultimately dissipates as the rather conventional plot is revealed. Basically, The Ghost Writer goes from **** to Clancy in a matter of minutes. A shame really, because the final scene is rather brilliant.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
The_orudJan 8, 2011
No this is not academy award material. This is just a fun movie with twist and turns. It is suspenseful and entertaining as it builds to the climax.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
sailoraideJan 11, 2011
Good old, Roman Polanski. Known for his international film work and dark psychological tales, as well as some rather troubling personal issues, here he offers us a "Hitchcock-like" political thriller. The film follows a man hired to finishGood old, Roman Polanski. Known for his international film work and dark psychological tales, as well as some rather troubling personal issues, here he offers us a "Hitchcock-like" political thriller. The film follows a man hired to finish the auto-biography of a former Prime Minister after his predecessor mysteriously died. As he delves deeper into the past of the Prime Minister (Pierce Brosnan in a totally underwhelming performance), he questions more and more regarding the current political drama surrounding his employer.

The film uses slow, methodical suspense rather than shock and action tactics. I suppose it works for some, but frankly it began to put me to sleep. I was still curious to know how the story would unfold and though mostly predictable there were a few unexpected twists. However, it was not able to grasp my attention as it felt more like I was just waiting to be told an answer vice learning or discovering it for myself.

The acting performances also left something to be desired. Kim Cattrall never uses the same accent twice. Brosnan, as mentioned earlier, is nothing special and one-dimensional. McGregor, as the main character and ghost writer, gives it his best shot and probably nails what Polanski was asking from him. And so I blame the director more than anyone else. When all is said and done, The Ghost Writer just didn't inspire me, or surprise me, or entertain me, or invoke any feelings at all much less the suspense it aims for. The story is interesting enough but the presentation method is just so slow and draining that by the time it reached a conclusion I just didn't care anymore. If you're a fan of Hitchcock you may enjoy this. I never really was, and I didn't.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Alexander_NJun 16, 2011
The Ghost Writer was a mediocre film that I felt still managed to entertain to an extent. Being the Ewan McGregor fan that I am, I found his performance to be favourable as always. I don't believe the film would engage at all if it weren'tThe Ghost Writer was a mediocre film that I felt still managed to entertain to an extent. Being the Ewan McGregor fan that I am, I found his performance to be favourable as always. I don't believe the film would engage at all if it weren't for an actor like Ewan. Politics is not normally an interest of mine, but the film's speculative atmosphere kept me from falling asleep or walking away as I may have otherwise. The sex scene was unwarranted and highly unrealistic in the situation it was portrayed in, so that would probably be one of the most notable of flaws. Otherwise, the film was a decent watch but not directly recommended.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
EssenceOfSugarJul 17, 2012
Despite it trying to look professional, the plot felt like a complete muddle of sorts. I've seen so many films where the people making a film try masquerading them in clever disguises that are easily see through. There was barely any depthDespite it trying to look professional, the plot felt like a complete muddle of sorts. I've seen so many films where the people making a film try masquerading them in clever disguises that are easily see through. There was barely any depth and when it got to a good, intense moment, it suddenly jumped to something else. My favourite character though was the nameless Ghost Writer, who we see in possibly the most thrilling scene in the film. But, in the end, it was just pretty boring.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
tallmanwritingDec 31, 2011
Overwrought is the word that comes to mind about this movie. I wanted to like it. Heck, if Ebert gives it 100 out of 100 it better be good. There were times when the suspense was okay, but mostly it was just ... boring. For the first hour IOverwrought is the word that comes to mind about this movie. I wanted to like it. Heck, if Ebert gives it 100 out of 100 it better be good. There were times when the suspense was okay, but mostly it was just ... boring. For the first hour I thought that it might be a nice, minimalist thriller. Turns out, it was just a contrived, long, telegraphed snoozer.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
S2G047Dec 8, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't like these kinds of movies that leaves lots of questions unanswered but if you don't know this, then it's a good 2 hour movie that keeps you glued to your seat.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Benkoko11Feb 23, 2017
Pulanski's pop thriller plays out like a Dan Brown novel - suspenseful in a way that garners general appeal but is dissapointingly limited in emotional gravitas.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
amheretojudgeMay 3, 2018
he was a craze..

The Ghost Writer The chewed off intense sequences to build up the thrill is something that is obvious and expected while going in for such premise, but the makers in here keeps it smart and different to which they'll go tohe was a craze..

The Ghost Writer

The chewed off intense sequences to build up the thrill is something that is obvious and expected while going in for such premise, but the makers in here keeps it smart and different to which they'll go to any extent and they took the longest way possible i.e. for more than 2 hours that can be easily exhausting. The adaptation by Roman Polanski and Robert Harris is dull and loosely edited that has no amount of crisp or tangent in it which makes the Roman's work harder on terms of execution which he pulls it off like a magic rabbit. On performance level there isn't much to look forward to although Ewan McGregor has done a decent work but isn't supported to that bar by either Pierce Brosnan or Olivia Williams. The Ghost Writer is a feature that you may think about while watching it and might even enjoy as the story enfolds in each phase but as soon as you are off the hook, it will cease to exist.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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