"The Ghost Writer" Review

“The Ghost Writer” is the latest film from Academy Award-winning director Roman Polanski. It may possibly also be his last film depending on whether or not he is successfully extradited from a 32-year old crime and scandal he’s been involved with. Indeed, his scandal seems to go on almost as long as the scandal Adam Lang (Pierce Bronson) has going for him in this film. Though the focus of the movie is on the dirty politician (possibly inspired by Tony Blaire), the protagonist of the film is on the ghost writer who has been hired to clean up the manuscript of Adam’s memoir’s. The ghost writer is never named but simply referred to as Ghost throughout the film, and is played with surprising conviction by Ewan McGregor.

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Polanski's 'Ghost' In Limbo

Due to the recent arrest of Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski ("Chinatown," "The Pianist"), his almost-finished-but-not-quite film "The Ghost" has been put on hold.  From what I understand most of the film is in the can.  Polanski was practically done with the editing with only a few more scenes to go, but most of the postproduction work involving the sound is not.  Sound mixing, editing, and scoring still need to be done.  Of course this could all be done without Polanski's involvement, but chances are he'd rather not have the movie released then have someone else touch it.  Obviously production will not go forward until we know for sure whether or not Polanski will be extradited to the United States.

One things for sure though: If Polanski is extradited and forced to serve a jail sentence then the movie will most likely have to be completed without him.  Sorry, but as much as I'd love Polanski to finish this film there's too much at stake to drop it just because he can't finish it.  The movie is practically done at this point, and too much money has been spent on it to let it stay in limbo.  Ghost writers finish uncompleted book series when authors pass away suddenly, so I have on doubt the movie will be finished.  Who knows, maybe in a pity vote Hollywood would give Polanski a second Best Director Oscar (seeing how many Hollywood stars want him released, this movie could be very important next Oscar season depending on how this situation pans out).

Another thing we have to keep in mind is whether or not this situation will help sell the movie or hurt selling the movie.  On one hand he could go to jail and there could be interest in it because it's his last film.  If he goes free people might not be interested in seeing a movie made by someone who got away with rape.  Such a very, very interesting situation.  The movie stars Pierce Bronson and Ewan McGregor and was set to be released sometime in 2010.

Carrey Goes Gay

It turns out Jim Carrey's next major role after "Yes Man" will be playing a gay man in "I Love You Phillip Morris." The love interest will be played by the mostly reliable Ewan McGregor. While some people may find this shocking, I'm not too surprised. Jim Carrey is a man whose been wanting to be taken seriously for years. Trouble is, his serious movies rarely match the box office appeal that his comedy films do. So whenever he makes a Carrey-vehicle like "Yes Man," you know that he's only doing it for the paycheck. His next film will always be far, far more ambitious. Don't believe me? Just remember that after he made the highly sucessful comedy "Bruce Almighty" he then moved onto what is arguebly his best role to date: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Of course, Carrey has never been nominated for an Academy Award for any of these serious roles.

On one hand it surprises me, considering he's been in "The Truman Show," "Man on the Moon," "The Majestic," and the aforementioned "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Then I remember that this is the Oscars we're talking about, and there are still many acclaimed actors who have never won an Oscar in actual competition (Peter O'Toole anyone?). Despite this history though, chances are this will be Carrey's first nomination. If for no other reason then the fact that the Academy feels that a straight man playing a gay man is "bold and daring," as if it's really a big stretch for Carrey to be acting flamboyant. I haven't seen the movie yet, and who knows if this is really an Oscar worthy film, but keep an eye on it next year. Something tells me this could really, truly be Carrey's first Academy Award nomination.