The Ghost Writer

There is some point in every politicians life when they wake up and say, I’m going to run for office. Some are motivated by a personal agenda, some are asked, and others are following a passion for change. But when Pierce Brosnan (The Thomas Crown Affair) was questioned by his ghost writer Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting) while penning his memoirs, his answer was, to get the girl.

The Ghost Writer is a political thriller directed by Roman Polanski (The Pianist). Ewan McGregor is hired to finish the biography of a British Prime Minister, Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan) when his former writer and aide ends up dead, washed up on the nearby beach. Ewan McGregor gets involved with Lang just as he is being accused of international war crimes. The media frenzy and focus on him only causes the publishing company to want the book faster. As a ghost writer, Ewan must find the time to finish the book while still dealing with the nagging suspicions caused by his predecessor’s death; what really happened to him and what is the significance of these mysterious pictures found in his room?

Ruth Lang is played by Olivia Williams (Peter Pan) and she is the woman behind the man. Adam Lang fell in love with her in college and she led him into politics. In office he follows her advice and consults with her on everything. She is smart, savvy and a much better politician than her husband. But he has the look, the charm and the political presence to get things done. She feels like a prisoner amongst all the security, and hates the trappings of political life, including her husband’s personal secretary Kim Cattrall (Sex And The City). But everyone acknowledges her influence, she’s the brains of the outfit.

What I loved about this film was the tone and increasing tension. At first Ewan McGregor is a little cocky. He published a book on his own when everyone else turned him down and it was a big success. Now he is enjoying it when the publishing company must come to him for help. But things are heating up and the pressure’s on. There’s more to the story than what’s on the printed page. As The Ghost uncovers conflicting facts and information, he starts to get the feeling he’s being watched. However, its not paranoia if they really are trying to get you. This film is full of time-release suspense and nagging intrigue. It is a first-rate political thriller.

Besides the intelligence of the film and the well-written script, I also fell in love with the location. The Lang’s beach house has a picture window facing the ocean with a deliciously dark and stormy sky. In the background is a gardner trying to sweep up leaves as the wind blows them out of the wheelbarrow as fast as he can put them in. I couldn’t help but see the metaphor there. The darkening ocean sky was almost like a character in the film. I absolutely adored the setting of this small isolated island and it gave me the feeling that danger was only a breath away. Like a beach comber standing too close to the edge; one good wave and he’s gone.

The Ghost Writer is a masterpiece of tone and setting. Roman Polanski carefully balances the darker elements with quips and light humor. Ewan McGregor plays it just right balancing his smug attitude with a sincere desire for the truth. I also appreciate the fine acting of Tom Wilkinson (In The Bedroom) and he is particularly enigmatic in this role as one of the mysterious men in the photos. All these people are connected to the Langs, but how? The answers are in the beginnings.

Rating: First Run A storm of political intrigue