Rating: 
Summary: Worth a watch
Review: Ghost World is definitely not a feel-good comedy or blockbuster drama. It's "real," or about as real as you get in the movies. Some of the supporting characters such as the art teacher (who did remind me of a teacher I had in high school) might be just a little bit over-the-top, but the line between stark reality and caricature in this movie is a very fine one so even while you might be laughing, there's still something at the back of your mind that keeps you from *completely* laughing at some of the characters or scenes. The main characters of Enid and Seymour as well as Enid's friend Rebecca and Enid's relationships with them are at times heartbreakingly real such as the growing distance between Enid and Rebecca. Although Enid might come off sometimes as a dominating, bitchy, wannabe "alterna-freak", deep down she's hurting. The relationship between Enid and Seymour is fascinating and Steve Buscemi does a *great* job as Seymour. The concluding scene might be a little ambiguous, but I think it's a good one for Enid. I just wish there had been happier implications for Seymour's future. I think Seymour's last scene should have been the one where Enid visited him in the hospital, but I guess the director had a reason for putting in the other one, whether for more closure or something else. All in all, I liked the movie.
Rating:
Summary: right on....
Review: had to get this after seeing it in the theater last year, with the exception of the strang ending a pleasure to watch...maybe after another viewing or two itll make perfect sense.....all the actors in this one do a great job, none fall short of the mark.....check it out
Rating: 
Summary: Enid and Rebecca, This IS Your Life!
Review: When I saw the trailers for GHOST WORLD, I was led to believe the overall tone of the movie would be a light, teenage comedy in the vein of say, Sixteen Candles. Sixteen Candles was (AND still is) a great coming-of-age movie, just so no one thinks I'm "dissing" it. In any case the trailer for GHOST WORLD, shall we say, was incomplete.The movie offers so much more depth than you'd get from seeing the trailer. Thora Birch and Scarlett Johannson and Steve Buscemi all give us some of the best character-driven performances you will see in ANY movie from the past year. I didn't read the graphic novel the movie was based on, but it seems that the screenwriters and director have done a great job of translating it to film. I think everyone who sees this movie will see bits of themselves in both Enid and Rebecca's lives. The feelings of not fitting in with your peer groups, not feeling attractive, not knowing what you're going to do with your life after graduation, etc. etc. will ring true with most of the movie's audience. The relationship between Thora Birch and Steve Buscemi's characters is at the same time, complex and touching. When you see the movie, you'll understand how two unlikely people do make for good friends, even though they meet in an unconventional way. To tell you how they do would give away one of the movie's charming surprises. My only negative comment would be that the ending is ambiguous and left me with one big question and no real direction for any answers. You'll have to watch GHOST WORLD to get my drift. Overall an excellent story...
Rating: 
Summary: Brooding ArtHouse Nonsense Who Like That Sort of Thing
Review: GHOST WORLD actually begins very entertaining, with the two principles -- Thora Birch as Enid and Scarlett Johansson as Rebecca -- graduating from high school and experiencing the pure teenage-to-adulthood angst of "what next?" Their graduation ceremony provides the biggest laugh for the film, and their giving the finger to their high school upon completing the proceedings is probably a seminal youth-against-the-establishment statement, a far cry from the socially popular lowbrow AMERICAN PIE films ... However, the film quickly descends into vignettes that ultimately add up to pure nonsense, culminating in a magical mystery bus that takes those displaced by society to some far-off magical mystical place where they can live out their days in self-imposed solitude. Illeana Douglas is on board as the art teacher who falls for Enid's pranks, and her performance is probably the only enduring one in an otherwise wasted film. Also, Steve Buscemi plays the ultimate loser who keeps losing -- including losing Enid to the magical mystery bus (a young woman he believes he loves because he has no other choice in his life). Rent it for the laughs; cry for the lost $$$.
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing film
Review: After seeing that this movie was on Roger Ebert's top 10 of 2001 and hearing about all the other praise from various movie critics, I was really looking forward to renting Ghost World. I wish I hadn't. While it might appeal to some individuals who can relate to the awkwardness of trying to fit in with their "conventional" peers, I found this movie a complete bore. It is very difficult to muster up ANY interest in the main character (and the film itself) as she whines and complains to anyone and everyone about how stupid and "un-hip" everyone is as she proceeds to spew negativity and criticism wherever possible. I would NOT recommend this film (labeled a "comedy" but in the darkest way) if you truly want to care or have any empathy towards the protagonist and the characters around her.
Rating:
Summary: Wry combination of the comic and tragic
Review: _Ghost World_ tells the story of an alternate universe by inhabiting its skin, taking on its physical and gravitational laws, applying itself to the unfurling of an enigma, shirking anything contrary to its raison d'etre, mapping intricately and intimately its own relevance. Filled with an infinite, unspoken wisdom, arcane subtexts, and a witty ballet of endless parody and satire, it is a glorious, brash, and extremely dark comedy that is filled with laughter, pain, and provocation. The "ghost world" the movie presents is the one of central character Enid, played by Thora Birch in a performance every bit as good as her turn in _American Beauty_; however in many ways all of the characters we meet onscreen share in this reality of loneliness and mirthlessness. The movie reminded me of Thoreau's famous statement that the mass of men "lead lives of quite desperation," as this illustrates well the predicament of the protagonists. The film performs its skewering of the mindless parts of pop culture not by simple rejection alone, but by illustrating the hidden nooks and crannies of human existence on an microscopic level, becoming a treatise on the simultaneous humor and value of the obscure. In these cases, the movie's humor arises directly out of the insight and intelligence of its dialogue. In quite a few instances this movie is about the past-- about how it is varnished over, or destroyed, or altered, or just plain forgotten. It is also about the minutiae of life-- a place where the minimum essentials of a record collection is 1500 LPs; where a legendary Blues musician is the opening act instead of a headliner; a place where 1960's Indian rock is as commanding as 1970's punk. The film's most stringent assault might simply be the suggestion that life for better or for worse promotes identity shifts which are as complicating and sticky as they are emotionally draining and terrifying. Every character here who is apparently fine on the surface is only stable because of a niche they have occupied for too long. Enid's final bus out is in essence a rejection of that stasis, that "relation to humanity," and an embrace of her dream of finding a "random place" in which to disappear. In this sense the movie is open ended: did she succeed or fail in her effort to adjust to external reality? _Ghost World_ is a fun ride as well as a thought provoking one. This movie has probably already found its audience-- in which case its critique of crass mentalities, pre-packaged commericialism and political correctness will delight now and well into the future.
Rating:
Summary: Thora Birch shines as an outsider in the world...
Review: Outsiders Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlet Johansson) have clung to each other for years, counting the days until their high school graduation when they can finally get an apartment together and begin their "real" lives - or so they think. But life for these two alienated young women is far from easy, even after high school. Finding a place for themselves is going to be a longer, stranger trip than they can imagine.
Birch and Johannson have a weird but fascinating symmetry, with their masks of cynicism and hardness and sharp humor to keep the rest of the world at bay. Enid ( Thora Birch) is the real center of this picture, especially as her veneer cracks and her insecurities begin to show. She turns out to be far more alienated and lonely than she seems at first and I was awed by Birch's performance here.
When they decide to play a prank on an equally alienated adult, played by Steve Buscemi, Enid and Rebecca begin to spin off from each other. Enid is fascinated by the guy but Rebecca is not. Enid forms a strange relationship with him, one that affects her profoundly and threatens her friendship with Rebecca.
Not just another teen flick (in fact, I'd guess the average teen might find it depressing) but more of a coming of age story made for the outsiders in the world. Loved it!
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional Comedy/Drama from Terry Zwigoff
Review: To begin with, let’s dispel any misconception that his is just another “teen” film; the main characters are teens, to be sure, but it is decidedly anything but. Rather, it’s an examination of the methods we employ in the attempt to connect with the world in which we live, and how we negotiate our own specific time, place and environment. A comedy/drama by director Terry Zwigoff, “Ghost World” explores what it means to be on the outside looking in, without necessarily wanting to be on the inside, but unsure of what the next move should be or to whom or what we should reach out and embrace. And, as the story unfolds, we discover that the elusive answers have much to do with our own preferences and perceptions of a world in a constant state of flux that refuses to slow down or wait for us to make our decisions. Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) have just graduated from high school. Their plans for the future include sharing an apartment-- and so far, that’s it. Toward that end, Rebecca has secured a job at a local Starbucks, but Enid is stuck in the procrastination phase, job-search wise. Be advised, however, these two are no “Romy and Michele;” mature beyond their years-- especially Enid-- they have a jaded, cynical view of the world in which they live and those who populate it. They possess a keen insight into human nature, but regard those around them with a rather cold and detached perspective. They observe people, Enid sometimes sketching them from a distance, and often they follow their subjects just to see where they go and what they might do. Life to them is something of an academic character study, with perhaps an underlying sense that by so doing they just may stumble onto their own niche-- though without realizing what they’re doing themselves. It’s all fairly harmless, at any rate, until one day they inadvertently get too close to one of their marks, Seymour (Steve Buscemi), a man they view initially as a pathetic little geek. They initiate an incident involving him that is cruel in the extreme, and when they follow it up rather than just dropping it and letting it (and Seymour) go, their lives take an unexpected turn, and for the first time they get caught up in their own scheme of deceit. And it’s a step toward the inevitable changes we all face in our lives-- and slowly they begin to understand at least one thing: That once the die is cast, there is no going back. From the outset, you realize these characters are not your typical, average cinematic teens, and as the story evolves, Zwigoff does an exemplary job of developing them. They change, they evolve; and you see it. And given the fact that this story is adapted from a comic book, there is an unexpected depth to it, along the lines of “American Beauty” or “The Ice Storm.” It’s funny, as well-- hilarious, in fact-- but the humor is never contrived or forced, but flows quite naturally from the characters and their situations, just as in real life where you find that even the most serious situation has a humorous side, though to find it you may have to take a step back and look for it. Zwigoff allows us to take that step back and see that side, along with the drama; and the result is a film that is funny, incisive, insightful, and at times extremely moving and poignant. The ending alone is enough to initiate hours of discussion. Extremely well crafted and delivered, Zwigoff’s work here should have earned him an Oscar nomination, as it is clearly superior to some that were rewarded with that honor. For years now, in numerous films, from “Fargo” to the sleeper “Trees Lounge,” Steve Buscemi has been one of the best character actors in the business, and the role of Seymour is arguably his best work to date. And inexplicably, like Zwigoff, the Academy overlooked him. Buscemi’s Seymour is the epitome of a regular guy who, if not exactly content with his life, accepts it and has no delusions as to who and what he is; and Buscemi plays him beautifully. There’s a touch of Donnie from “The Big Lebowski” in him, but with much more depth, and an attitude that is decidedly acquiescent. This is a guy who doesn’t expect much, because he knows he’ll never get it anyway. It’s an engagingly subtle and honest portrayal that also gives definition to the contrast between his stage of life and that of Enid and Rebecca’s. Buscemi was perfectly cast in this part-- absolutely no one could have played Seymour better. One of the true revelations of this film, however, is in the emergence of Thora Birch, who turns in an absolutely commanding performance. All that she’s done previously has been but a warm-up for her portrayal of Enid, which, without question, will propel her already successful career to an even higher level. With an understated and oh-so-subtle manner, she manages to convey so much about what is going on behind Enid’s eyes; all the emotion, all the confusion that hides behind her mask of external indifference. Birch knows her character inside and out, and presents Enid accordingly, letting us know unequivocally how she feels about those around her, including Rebecca, her father (Bob Balaban), and especially Seymour-- through her relationship with whom we learn so much about her. It’s terrific work by an extremely gifted young actor. Johansson gives a striking performance, as well, though her character is ultimately overshadowed by Birch’s Enid. But it’s good work, and one of the strengths of the film. The supporting cast includes Brad Renfro (Josh), Illeana Douglas (Roberta) and Stacy Travis (Dana). Filled with memorable characters and scenes, “Ghost World” is a thoughtful and highly entertaining film, deservedly recognized with an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay. This is the magic of the movies.
Rating:
Summary: Misfits and Oddballs
Review: Ghost World is a peek into the lives and minds of two teenage girls who recently graduated high school. The story centers around Enid (Thora Birch) and her friend Rebecca. Steve Buscemi plays an older eccentric who the girls intially torment but with whom Enid eventually develops a relationship. I liked this movie for its portrayal of the misfits and oddballs who live on the fringe of mainstream culture. Terry Zwigoff directed the movie "Crumb" about the underground comic artist Robert Crumb and his mentally disturbed family. There are many odes to Crumb in this movie, most notably the character Seymore. Seymore, like Robert Crumb, is highly critical of modern pop culture and collects albums of Jazz and Blues artists from the early 20th century. Like Crumb he is socially inept and purposely isolates himself from other human beings. Daniel Clowes is a superb storyteller with a talent for creating distinctive, believable characters. I've admired his art since the early nineties and the beginning of his semi-periodical comic "Eightball". The DVD of Ghost World has a video from a 1965 Indian Musical which plays briefly in the opening credits of the movie. I read in an interview that Clowes owned a copy of a copy of a copy of the video and would show it to anyone who came over to his house. It has nothing to do with the narrative of Ghost World but its sure to stick in your head as one of the most bizarre things you've ever seen.
Rating:
Summary: they didn't make films like this when I was a teenager...
Review: A deceptively subtle movie which lingers in the mind long after viewing. An accurate and well-observed study of teenage alienation albeit with some far-fetched, though delightful, characters. Thora Birch is stunning as Enid, reminding me of a young Janeane Garrafolo, and she is rapidly becoming the lead actress of her generation. My main criticism would be that the director seems to have opted for a rather stilted approach to dialogue and converstation, pauses that little longer than usual etc. Whilst this successfully creates a tone of alienation which I assume was what he was after, it does slightly detract from some of the timing of the more comedic moments. This is a minor quibble though. Best teen movie since Heathers. Bravo.
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