Directed by:
Roman PolańskiCinematography:
Pawel EdelmanComposer:
Alexandre DesplatCast:
Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Hutton, Jon Bernthal, Tim Preece, Robert Pugh, David Rintoul, Eli Wallach (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
When a successful British ghostwriter agrees to complete the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang, his agent assures him it's the opportunity of a lifetime. But the project seems doomed from the start - not least because his predecessor on the project, Lang's long-term aide, died in an accident. The ghostwriter flies out to work on the project, in the middle of winter, to an oceanfront house on an island off the U.S. Eastern seaboard. But the day he arrives, a former British cabinet minister accuses Lang of authorizing the illegal seizure of suspected terrorists and handing them over for torture by the CIA - a war crime. Lang faces prosecution by the International Criminal Court, unless he stays in the U.S. or goes to another country that does not recognize that court. The controversy brings reporters and protesters swarming to the island mansion where Lang is staying with his wife, Ruth, and his personal assistant (and mistress), Amelia. As the ghostwriter works, he uncovers clues suggesting his predecessor may have stumbled on a dark secret linking Lang to the CIA - and that somehow this information is hidden in the manuscript he left behind. Adam Lang is assassinated, but the ghostwriter eventually completes the book anyway. During the presentation of the book, the ghostwriter stumbles upon the clues to the mystery. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (13)
A well-directed old-school paranoia that more than its engaging plot and unprecedented drive, uses minimalist sets, a gloomy atmosphere and other Polanski filmmaking devices and proprieties to tell a thematically well-supported story, which might make one smile at how the master has it all figured out and in control, but could have been much more entertaining and brisk.
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The plot is actually about nothing and the story as a whole is not one of the most thought-provoking and formally unique, but Polanski confirms his qualities and delivers another piece of proper filmmaking, which, hand in hand with an excellent acting duo, is an ideal programme for a long winter evening. I actually don’t see any reason to look for flaws when I had a good time with a well made film...
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I almost want to give it more stars, because I haven't seen such a seemingly peaceful, yet every minute more incredibly dramatic and suspenseful film in a long time. Apart from Brosnan and McGregor and the precise direction of Master P., worth highlighting is the truly good music by Alexandre Desplat, the role of Eli Wallach (how does an old man still do that?), the slowly escalating atmosphere and the final quarter of an hour. I'm giving it four and a bit.
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I'm not a big fan of political thrillers, but this was just a fine old-school job. A ghostwriter who walks in the shadow of his predecessor, perhaps more than he would like. McGregor’s bored writer’s face leads us through the whole story in a pleasantly unpleasant way, more mysterious than the contents of a British minister's desk drawer. Brosnan wholeheartedly relishes the opportunity to play an arrogant politician, and even the legendary Eli Wallach grins into the camera. Polanski directs with precision and Alexandre Desplat has composed such a full, delightful soundtrack that I will give it the fifth star with peace of mind. - Do you do any sports? - Not really.
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Stylish comeback. Inscrutably mysterious plot in an indistinctly attractive environment with an atmosphere of subtle absorption - I expected many things, but definitely not such a self-assured exploration of paranoid moods or political intrigues. That tangible feeling of tightening loops I still can't shake off.
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