Title: Ghost World
Topic: Movie ("Black Comedy", "Teen" Movie- kinda, Growing-Up Movie)
Review Date: 9/28/03
Link: Ghost World
Title: Ghost World
Topic: Movie ("Black Comedy", "Teen" Movie- kinda, Growing-Up Movie)
Review Date: 9/28/03
Link: Ghost World
So I spent all but my last dollars (... well, dollars in my wallet. I still have some cash left in the ol' bank account) on the DVDs Ghost World and Donnie Darko. Despite now having $2.73 in easy-access cash, I don't regret the purchase of either for one damned minute: Go Buy 'em Both- Now!
By the way, chances are this review will contain *gasp* SPOILERS. Read beyond this point at your own risk. I should also warn you: A number of reviews (including even some positive reviewers) stated that this movie was over-acclaimed, that nothing happened, that it was dull, not-funny, depressing, dumb, or what not. I disagree on all counts with these people- who should be shot. Oh, and my review is pretty much a jumbled morass of confused gushing praise for this film. Again I'll say it: Read at your own damn risk.
I should further note that I had an epiphany when first trying to write this review: I SUCK at reviewing. If you want good plot summaries, characterizations, general bitching, and the opinion of the great mass of folks: head over to Amazon.com's review of the film.
What I will say about Ghost World is that it's a blackishly funny "comedy" about growing up, isolation, not growing up, and losing friends. A comedy- sorta: a few reviews I've read found this movie a tad (or a LOT) more depressing then humorous. I dunno, I found a lot about it pretty damn funny. Still (and to those complaining reviewer's credit), fair portions were more sad or "true-to-real-life" then comical (that said, there exist a few of characters in the film who exist for only cartoonish silliness). Don't worry, parts are still really funny (... um especially if you like sarcastic and arguably "mean" humour, at times- both of which I approve highly of). * Lets just say I've decided that this sometimes-comedic, sometimes-tragic (and so on) feel to the movie is a very, very good thing.
Oh yeah, I've seen some argument over whether to call it a "teen movie" or not, I won't get into it... but I will say that if it is a "teen movie" it's one of the rare breed of... um, non-sucky ones.
The movie is based on a comic-book (of the same name) by Daniel Clowes. The film follows the story of happily outcasted Enid (a smart, sarcastic and, um... sorta bitchy. Played by Thora Birch) new high-school graduate (...almost), and her life-long best friend, Rebecca (Similarly sarcastic and outcast, but more traditionally pretty and with some kind of direction for her post-high school life. Played Scarlet Johansson). Anyway, this is (at least partially) the story of the dissolution of their friendship in the summer after high school. Steve Buscemi plays Enid's (MUCH) older quasi-love interest... the record-collecting middle-aged loser, Seymour. You can find a better plot-summary then I can write elsewhere. Suffice for me to say that I found it excellent, and this movie is probably one of my favorite movies of all time (... provided it stands up to future viewings, I've only seen it once thusfar).
Yeah, I know, this was a terrible review. Too damn bad, I stand by my enjoyment of this movie, and that it provides an excellent "outsider-looking-in" perspective; particularly that of teens who don't know where the hell they're going in life, or what the fuss about this place is to begin with.
... Plus, I absolutely loved the super-ambiguous ending; which can be taken optimistically or pessmistically (largely depending on your own point of view).
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