MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS 

 #1  Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer 

I just watched Roman Polanski’s The Ghost Writer for at least the tenth time, and boy is it an extremely addicting motion picture. Released in 2010, and starring Ewan McGregor (who plays ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of former British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan), who uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy. Also starring Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall, and Tom Wilkinson, this suspenseful political thriller showcases all the reasons why Mr. Polanski is one of the best. His distinctive style which imbues everyone of his films is in full glory here as it showcases his mastery of the medium. 

As in The Ninth Gate, another flick which I’ve watched countless times, The Ghost Writer is one of those movies which sucks you in almost immediately. Within a few frames its as if you can’t look away at the mystery which is being unfolded right in what of your eyes. As each successive sequence give you even more questions to ponder. Helped tremendously by a great musical score (another common trait in all Polanski’s movies) which pulls you in till the final frame. Instead of warning the viewer to know something bad is gonna happen, it instead responds to the event, helping build up the tension that much stronger. 

All the actors give first rate performances, but as usual with Polanski’s best flicks the story and the script comes first. And this flick’s script is top notch. Beautifully meandering from one dramatic moment to the next. And without revealing anything, when you discover the truth at the end, wow, it’s worth every second spent. But what takes the film and makes it one of the best films in years is the finale. 

Without giving anything away, (do not and I mean it do not look away at the end).  If you do, the ending of this great flick is completely different then what Roman Polanski intended. And boy what a stunning moment it is. He is a master storyteller at the top of his game. And this flick is one of his masterpieces. I highly recommend it.  In fact I might just have to watch it again...

Just one man’s opinion

© Neil Feigeles, Neilizms, Monday, December 12, 2011