The Ghost Writer

“The Ghost Writer” stars Ewen McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Hutton and Eli Wallach. Directed by Roman Polanski and co-written by Mr. Polanski and Robert Harris, this is a political thriller of the highest order with plot, script and atmosphere proving once again that these elements together can make a better viewing experience than so-called action packed film adventures. The mood Mr. Polanski creates and captures from start to finish makes for a compelling movie event as the viewer literally and figuratively grips his or her seat as scene by scene we are taken through this interesting and suspenseful drama. Acted superbly by Mr. McCregor and the other cast members, the 128 minutes of film seems to fly by since the viewer is too absorbed by the events of the story to pay any attention at all to the hands on the clock. If the saying “time flies when you’re having fun” is valid, it is no less true that minutes also speed along when witnessing a really good film. If there is any flaw or imperfection in this quality cinematic effort by Mr. Polanski, it is a feeling, perhaps personal only to me, of incompleteness as we see the last scene end and the credits begin to roll. Nevertheless, for the sheer viewing experience, this film earns and gets 3 and ½ stars with a very strong recommendation that it be seen and enjoyed as soon as possible.