Film Review: Ghost Town
Ricky Gervais, Leading Man Material
Sep 26, 2008 Jennifer L Mashuga
"I think all awkwardness is funny," Gervais said. "And I think if you're not embarrassed, then it's not embarrassing for anyone else. But if someone's embarrassed, that's embarrassing." In an interview with HBO, Gervais joked about his off-beat humor. "Really terrible things make me laugh," he said. "I think there's something somewhat wrong with me. I mean really, really bad things make me laugh."
On September 19th, Ghost Town, the talented comedian's first major Hollywood film, opened in theaters. He's also appeared as supporting characters in Stardust and Night at the Museum, but this is Gervais' first starring role. The 47-year-old British actor has said that he was bombarded with starring roles after the success of The Office, but was waiting until the right role came around, and apparently that role was Bertram Pincus.
The Perfect Role
Pincus is a curmudgeon, a dentist who loves his profession because his patients are usually unable to talk to him. He thinks of the people who works in his office as nothing more than co-workers, and doesn't even bother hiding his distaste at being invited to look at the photos of a fellow dentist's new baby. Instead of socializing, he sneaks out of the office when he thinks no one's looking.
According to David Koepp, who directed Ghost Town, "What you see is 85% scripted." The other 15% is ad-libbed by the actors, especially Gervais. But he also made sure he had his say as far as the script was concerned. "I made sure there were things in the script about me being a putz or ludicrous," Gervais said. "I think it's more heartwarming."
The Story
The film opens with Greg Kinnear's character, Frank, walking through New York City while talking on the phone with his wife. The audience soons discovers that Frank is trying to find an apartment for he and his girlfriend, and the realtor just screwed everything up by inviting his wife to see the place. While Frank has a terse conversation with the realtor about how to fix the situation, a couple in an apartment above are trying to install their air conditioner in the window. Just when they think they have it, the unit falls out the window, careening towards Frank. Fortunately, the air conditioner misses him, but the bus doesn't.
After Pincus "dies" for seven minutes in surgery, he can suddenly see the ghosts of dead people all over New York City. One of the most persistent of these is Frank, who convinces Pincus that he will persuade all the other ghosts to leave him alone, if he will just do one favor: break up the impending marriage of his widow and her fiancé.
Ghost Town opened in US theaters September 19th, 2008
Ricky Gervais in Ghost Town
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Film & TV
Latest Articles