The Ghost Writer : an elegant and icy political thriller

Publié par Marie sur 2 Juin 2013, 19:34pm

Catégories : #thriller, #politic, #roman polanski, #olivia williams, #pierce brosnan, #Ewan McGregor

The Ghost Writer : an elegant and icy political thriller

To all the people who think that The Ghost Writer is the new Shutter Island but by Roman Polanski, the answer is no: it is more subtle and it is definitely slower. Unlike others, I'm not going to compare and associate the director's life with his movie; I'm only asking you this : will you survive in such an hostile atmosphere?

SYNOPSIS : A ghost writer is hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister Adam Lang. Stuck on an island with the minister's staff, he uncovers secrets that put his own life on the line.

Extremely efficient, this thriller has three ingredients that explain the power of his impact.

First, the subject is very interesting. A movie about a British prime minister is not that common and we can easely forge a link with Tony Blair, British prime minister who has been accused of collaborating with the USA about the Irak's war. There are a lot of evidences: the signs that people wave bear the inscription "liar". The opposants's slogan to Blair was "Tony B. Liar". Also, the flight company which gives Lang a plane is an homonym of the american company Halliburton which was suspected of collusion with the political world.

A film about a political scandal can be boring or passive but it is definitely not the case for The Ghost Writer which keeps the tension to the highest point.

For a lot of movies, the atmosphere is almost everything. Here, I have to admit that the atmosphere is really frightening and icy. A blue-grey filter projects his colour on every image and that filter gives a special tint to the movie. Everything is done to make you feel uncomfortable, suspicious and on your guard. The places are dark, or really light but in a creepy way. The spectator seems stuck on this island with the hero and you really have the impression to be harassed by the media and to have a giant pression on you. Like the hero, you are taken on a ride.

The music is stressful, to thrill. Every detail counts. Everything is made to make you believe in something and when the truth comes out, you can't not be less prepared.

It is clear that the characters are the most important thing in The Ghost Writer, always ambivalent, misleading. You can't be sure of anything because you can not define neither the personnality or the intentions of any character. The actors are good: Olivia Williams (The Sixth Sense, Peter Pan, Anna Karénine) is sibylline as possible; Adam Lang might be the best role for Pierce Brosnan, who was a little bit lost after Mamma Mia. Ewan McGregor (Big Fish, I Love You Phillip Morris), newcomer lost in the ruthless politic world, gives an subtle palette of expressions.

If you like atmosphere movies, thrillers and intrigues, you will love it!