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Ghost Town (2008)

Director: David Koepp

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Movie review

From Time Out New York

Here comes Mr. Jordan, always. Ricky Gervais does what he can to make a shopworn premise likable, but blockbuster screenwriter David Koepp—who demonstrated a deft genre hand as the director of Stir of Echoes—can’t do much to enliven this romantic-comedy-as-self-help-guide. Gervais plays Bertram Pincus, a cartoonishly misanthropic dentist who, after dying for a few minutes under anesthesia, gains the ability to see ghosts. They all want Bertram to do them favors—none more so than Frank (Kinnear), a former high-rolling, adulterous asshole who narrowly avoids being squashed by a falling air conditioner, only to get hit by a bus a second later. Frank promises to hold New York’s ghosts at bay if Bertram can prevent his widow (Leoni) from remarrying.

That Gervais and Leoni’s characters should fall for each other is both unlikely and unimaginative, and a novel choice of professions notwithstanding—she’s an archaeologist at the Met—what we have here is a movie that forces its star to do all the heavy lifting. (The film’s idea of humor is to have Gervais wear his dentist’s uniform outside the office.) Apart from amusing supporting turns by Kristen Wiig and Aasif Mandvi, Ghost Town might well refer to the movie’s ideas.

Author: Ben Kenigsberg 2008-09-16 17:26:10

Time Out New York Issue 677: September 18 - September 24, 2008

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User reviews of this film

  • Don Roberson said...
    Posted on Nov 02 2008 11:10 Just before I saw Ghost Town, I found Ricky. Was it on Letterman? Or was I first attracted to the "ads" for the movie. Doesn't matter. I loved every aspect of this movie. The concept, the acting, the actors. It was funny all the way through, as well as sweet and sentimental, with a joyous ending. I never heard of Ricky until the movie interviews. I'm now a loyal fan and am hooked on his pods, UTUBE, and web site. GREAT job Ricky. Looking forward to your next efforts...in spite of your "minky teeth"..
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  • Damian Hiscocks said...
    Posted on Oct 31 2008 05:11 I saw this film yesterday with my family. I haven't laughed so much at a film in my life. Excellent delivery by Gervais and respectful nods to Monty Python humour abound. If you understand Gervais and British Humour, you will love this film. Highly recommended - whens the DVD out ??
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  • Robin Harewood-Lee said...
    Posted on Oct 22 2008 05:51 What a disaster - ashamed that Gervais agreed to appear in this load of treacle and have his own reputation shattered. Take Gervais' usual anti-hero dry humour, dilute it by 50% and then towards the end of the film dissolve it completely (he is made to see the error of his ways and become a sugar-coated smiley face). Quite the worst film I've seen this decade!
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  • Luke Baker said...
    Posted on Oct 09 2008 17:03 Literally fantastic, Ricky is awesome. Not your regular stupid comedy. Best film of the year, catch it in the cinemas quick!!
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Ghost Town

Cast & crew

Director: David Koepp

Cast: Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Aasif Mandvi, Kristen Wiig full cast

Genre(s): Comedy

Rated: PG-13

Duration: 103 mins

US Release: Sep 19 2008

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