The Ghost Writer (2010)
128 min -
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A ghostwriter hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy. Director:Roman Polanski |
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1 win
&
1 nomination
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Top Billed Cast
Cast
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Ewan McGregor | ... | |
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Jon Bernthal | ... | |
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Tim Preece | ... | |
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James Belushi | ... | |
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Timothy Hutton | ... | |
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Anna Botting | ... | |
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Yvonne Tomlinson | ... | |
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Milton Welsh | ... | |
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Alister Mazzotti | ... | |
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Tim Faraday | ... | |
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Kim Cattrall | ... | |
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Kate Copeland | ... | |
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Soogi Kang | ... | |
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Lee Hong Thay | ... | |
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Olivia Williams | ... | |
Storyline
An unremarkable ghost-writer has landed a lucrative contract to redact the memoirs of Adam Lang, the former UK Prime Minister. After dominating British politics for years, Lang has retired with his wife to the USA. He lives on an island, in luxurious, isolated premises complete with a security detail and a secretarial staff. Soon, Adam Lang gets embroiled in a major scandal with international ramifications that reveals how far he was ready to go in order to nurture UK's "special relationship" with the USA. But before this controversy has started, before even he has closed the deal with the publisher, the ghost-writer gets unmistakable signs that the turgid draft he is tasked to put into shape inexplicably constitutes highly sensitive material. Written by Eduardo Casais <casaise@acm.org>
Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis | Keywords (Spoiler Alert!) »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG-13 for language, brief nudity/sexuality, some violence and a drug reference. See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »Fun Facts
Trivia
When Roman Polanski was arrested September 2009 in Switzerland, post-production was never put on hold. He saw every step of the film and made all artistic decisions. He finished editing the movie while in a Swiss prison. In December 2009 Polanski was released on bail but placed under house arrest, where he remained when this movie was released. See more »Goofs
Errors in geography: When the Ghost stands outside Paul Emmett's house and looks in the mailbox, the letters have all been sent to Belmont, Massachusetts, with a zip code beginning with "023". But Belmont's zip code is 02478. See more »Quotes
[first lines]The Ghost: You realize I know nothing about politics.
Rick Ricardelli: You voted for him, didn't you?
The Ghost: Adam Lang? Of course I did, everyone voted for him. He wasn't a politician, he was a craze.
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Crazy Credits
The title appears as highlighted words on pages of the scattered manuscript. See more »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
19 March 2010 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Ghost See more »Box Office
Budget:
$35,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$183,009 (USA) (21 February 2010) (4 Screens)Gross:
$15,541,549 (USA) (17 June 2010)Company Credits
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Polanski does some of his best work in a long time in this nearly-flawless and beautiful-looking film. Engaging story, interesting characters, incredible mood and sense of place (amazingly, locations in Germany substituted brilliantly for Martha's Vineyard -- having spent some time on the Vineyard, I was completely convinced that's what I was seeing, forgetting during the film that Polanski wouldn't have set foot on U.S. soil), more implied violence than any real screen violence (for those who like suspense but stay away from thrillers because of worry about violence, don't worry) -- it's all about suspense and intrigue. Every shot is gorgeous. Fun references to CHINATOWN, and especially Billy Wilder's SUNSET BOULEVARD. Lovely performances by Olivia Williams, who is sexy and vulnerable, Pierce Brosnan, the absolutely always brilliant Tom Wilkinson and an extraordinary cameo by Actors Studio legend Eli Wallach (he still has the chops!). The ending caps a perfect film perfectly, and the MacGuffin is great fun. If you like vintage Hitchcock, and especially if you like the best work of Polanski, don't miss it. I'm ready to see it again and watch how it's put together.