Rating: 
Summary: a triumphant film
Review: "Ghost World" is a rare movie find, a shrewdly observant tale of societal outcasts that, in its own low-keyed, understated way, offers profound insights into the workings of human nature. It is rare to see a film this confident in its purpose and tone. Writer/director Terry Zwigoff and co-writer Daniel Clowes have fashioned a tale totally lacking in the sort of sensationalistic melodrama that blights so many films dealing with the issue of teenage alienation and angst. Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson portray Enid and Rebecca, two long time friends who have just been released from that prison known as high school and are now forced to make their way in a world full of people towards whom they feel utterly contemptuous. Enid and Rebecca, like many youngsters who find it hard to fit in, camouflage their insecurities in a cloak of blasé cynicism, adopting a tone of superiority to all the "cool" people who have rejected them. Indeed, to these two young women, even being "cool" is uncool, so they comfort each other with the knowledge that they are simply too good for the society around them. The problem is that while this "pose" may suffice to get one through high school, it becomes a definite hindrance when one is confronted by the realities of life on the outside - finding a job, planning a future, establishing relationships. In the latter department, Enid finds herself drawn to an awkward middle-aged man named Seymour (Steve Buscemi), who is, in many ways, an older version of herself, a socially backward "dork" who frankly admits that the reason he collects so much memorabilia is because he prefers objects to people. Enid and Seymour strike up a tentative relationship, but what makes "Ghost World" so extraordinary is that we never quite know where the story is going. The writers don't go for the obvious plot turns so that, even by the end, although we leave the film feeling satisfied, we don't sense that all the loose ends have been tied up into a nice neat little package for our facile consumption. In fact, it is the very ambiguous, open-ended nature of the film that makes it seem so truthful. Even the characters remain strangely enigmatic throughout. Rebecca begins to feel the stirrings of conformity as she starts working at a job and looking for an apartment in a conventional suburban neighborhood. This tension causes the girls to start drifting apart, as does Enid's sudden interest in Seymour, a relationship Rebecca begins to view with a measure of jealousy and resentment. Enid is also very recognizable in her refusal to confront the people who mean the most to her when times of conflict or crisis arise - preferring to let her answering machine cope with her problems for her, in the vain (but all too human) belief that by screening her calls she will also be screening herself from some of the problems she has helped to create. We also see how these generally lost, but well-intentioned people, allow themselves to do very hurtful things to the people they love. The emotional terrain of this film is surprisingly credible and complex. As far as I can tell, there is really not an untrue moment in "Ghost World." It creates fascinating characters and remains true to them to the end, never requiring them to utter a false-sounding statement or indulge in cheap theatricalities to get the point across. Birch, Johannson and Buscemi give dazzlingly understated performances, never missing a beat as they create this strangely charming "ghost world" full of people who feel unconnected to the corporeal world around them. On every level this film is a certified triumph.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, touching off-beat comedy drama
Review: Ghsot World is one of those films that many people just will not'get', but if you've ever felt like you not quite in tune with the rest of society, it will really strike a chord. Excellent performances from Thora Birch and Steve Buscemi, with a razor sharp script. The DVD image is fine, with excellent details and rich colours. Occasionally there is a hint of grain but this is almost imperceptible. Oh, and by the way: the brilliant 1965 music video 'Jaan Pehechaan Ho' used in the opening sequence is simply the best extra I've ever seen on a DVD. Period!
Rating: 
Summary: ah how i love cynical people
Review: Movie was but really good at the first half hour after that there is really nothing exciting and it started to be tedious near the end and I felt like banging my head on the wall hoping my sense of reality would be restored
Rating: 
Summary: Smart and Funny!
Review: It's a shame more films can't be like this one, intelligent and funny at the same time. The story is great and the casting was dead-on perfect. The more I watch it the better it gets.
Rating: 
Summary: Losers are still losers, no matter how cynical chic.
Review: What a constipated movie. Nobody accomplishes anything except for the best friend who actually gets a job and an apartment, while our hero whines, mopes and ruins every opportunity she gets. These characters were supposed to be cynical and witty, but they were simply self-absorbed losers. With the exception of Seymour, I didn't see any sign of intelligence in this whole movie. Many people like to think that misanthropy equals intelligence. That sort of attitude is repugnant, not to mention transparent (to everyone but the ones who hold that attitude). Feeling superior to others does not make one superior. Watching Enid manipulate Rebecca's feelings made me cringe. Whenever a man showed interest in Blondie, Enid chased him away. Whenever Rebecca showed an opinion differing from her own, Enid would ridicule her. With friends like her... Enid is so lonely, yet when people try to reach out to her, she treats them like dirt. A giggly classmate tries to be friendly, and Enid responds with phony politeness and then ridicules the girl after she leaves. Dad's girlfriend tries to forge a bond, and is met with unexplained hostility. Maybe if we could see a reason for Enid's dislike for the woman, we would empathize more. Instead, it seems like Enid is simply spiteful. Which, judging from her idea of fun (setting up people for pain and humiliation), is most likely the case. Also, Enid's utter laziness and immaturity were irritating. I've known plenty of people who supposedly had great talent, just like Enid was supposed to have (although her sketchbook drawings looked like webtoons drawn by eighth graders). But her lack of drive showed her to be just another talented waste, which is not endearing. Are we supposed to identify with her? We all have periods where we have lack of direction. But for crying out loud, her teacher offers her a scholarship, her friend offers to share an apartment, her father's girlfriend offers her a job, and this loser does NOTHING. That's not lack of direction and confusion, that's just plain pathetic. Comparing this movie to 'Rushmore' is an insult to a great movie. 'Rushmore' showed characters with heart and real intelligence, not this dull 'Reality Bites'-wannabe crap. Max Fischer felt alienated because he was quirky and unique. Enid's alienation is caused by her hatefulness and childishness. A character who feels superior to the people around her while she herself is a not-too-bright slacker might have been a good satire. But the writers seemed to be unaware of the irony of their bratty hero. Instead, we are left with a dull movie about a person who deserves her alienated angst.
Rating:
Summary: Finally a movie I can relate to
Review: I rented this movie based on the fact that it was praised by critics everywhere, but I really didn't know what to expect. To my surprise, "Ghost World" was hilarious, touching and sad all at the same time. I could totally relate to Thora Birch's character! It's pretty rare that I can watch a movie and identify with a character that much! Enid and Rebecca were "real" characters and not like your typical characters in silly movies like "American Pie", which make teens out to be only sex obsessed, lazy fools (alright, many teens are, but they're also so much more than that). I was pleasently surprised by "Ghost World"! So much, in fact, that I think I'll buy it!
Rating:
Summary: A look into a lifestyle most of us despise
Review: This is both an interesting and entertaining movie which, in my opinion, takes the themes of the comic to a much greater level, and demonstrates them perfectly. Summaries are aplenty, so I'll omit one here. But this isn't a film which sets out to tell a compelling story. It's goal is to reveal a lifestyle to us, so try to bear that in mind when watching. To me at least, the film shows how the world forces us into roles and behaviors that are acceptable, and introduces us to the lives of those who don't try to please others and boost their own self-image. The characters are archetypes, but are still very human, and aren't themselves the ideals of what they represent. Enid, the main character, generally has no interest in playing this game of life, although despite this we see her many times worrying about her own image. Rebecca often joined in Enid's rants about the world, maybe to show others that she didn't care about their opinions, but even this is a sort-of virtue which she is advertising. As we watch the movie, we see her willing embracement of society's norms. Seymour shows that those who choose an independent lifestyle become morally consistent, but inevitably unhappy with the world and their own inability to fit in, retreating instead to their "ghost worlds". The movie had the opportunity to show Seymour as an unsung hero, who doesn't buy into the bull of society, and is actually an incredibly happy person deep inside. But the film shows how even his life, one where he doesn't let the opinions of others influence his decisions, is still not a happy and (emotionally) successful one. This movie offers a perspective on a lifestyle that most humans would shun, even if they pretend that they don't. It also happens to be very enteraining. Go watch it. NOW!
Rating:
Summary: My new favorite movie
Review: I had few expectations going into this movie. I'm a long time Buscemi fan and that was the main reason I wanted to see it. I didn't know what it was about or anything. A friend of mine saw it before me and almost demanded I see it because, "the lead girl is SO you!" I've never been able to relate to any teen-driven movie so I figured my friend was exaggerating. Let me say.. oh-my-god!! This movie spoke to me on such a personal level. I'm finding it funny, reading these reviews, the people who found Enid annoying or unlikeable..*grin* Seeing as, as I watched this film my jaw couldn't leave the floor. From the almost identical "screw the world" relationship with her more grounded friend Rebecca, to getting fired on the first day at a movie theater (for the same reasons), to her views on men, to her unique relationship with an out-of-sorts older guy... to well, everything. Its nuts. It's quite sad as well, but I'm just so thrilled that I've finally seen a movie I can relate to (how sick am I of the American Pie themed movies for those with no IQ? ugh). The comic was in print it seemed when I was in high school. I wish my friend and I had known about it then. It would've been nice to know we weren't alone in bleak ol suburbia... Even aside from my overly biased opinions on this movie.. It was still great. All of the supporting roles were classic. From Enid's dad, to the art teacher, to the store owner, to weird al, to the infamous nun-chuck toting variety store dude (priceless!).. Everything seemed covered. Everyone was great. Steve Buscemi was gold and Thora Birch was fantastic! It's been a while since I got excited over a movie enough to come online and write some super long review on it. I think many people can enjoy this movie on many different levels. Whether you spent your teen years rotting away in suburbia or not. It's an all around good, funny, quirky movie and I hope many more get to see it now that its available to rent.
Rating:
Summary: Like everyone else, I love this movie.
Review: I read Dan Clowes' "Ghost World" a few years ago, and fell in love at once. In a world of flashy, violent comics that all-too-often appeal to the lowest common denominator, a story that was just funny and human and real (in a slightly surreal way) was -- and remains -- a breath of fresh air. So it was with a mixture of excitement and dread that I anticipated the movie...I never doubted that it would be great if Zwigoff and Clowes were allowed to make it right, but I DID doubt that would ever come to pass. It did, and if anything, the film exceeds my hopes for it. The film is much warmer than the comic, much funnier, but makes no concessions. It is a crowd-pleaser, but not because Clowes and Zwigoff have dumbed the original story down or made it more Hollywood -- they haven't. (There's actually a few very sharp jabs at chain video stores and movie houses that make it clear that Zwigoff holds the film industry in as much contempt as Clowes does the fanboyish world of comics.) Right from the start, Zwigoff allows himself and us to care for the characters in a way Clowes was never entirely comfortable with, even if his grudging love for them becomes undeniable as the comic progresses ("Ghost World" is the most accessible of his comics; his other work, while quite good, is so detached that reader identification is virtually impossible, and the characters are people you wouldn't much want to identify with anyway), and so the film actually takes the original story a step further. The characters are less grotesque, less alienated, which actually makes the world they inhabit seem that much bleaker -- you really feel they should be happy, and want them to be. The story is much expanded for the film, and if it fails in any way in contrast to the source material, I did miss the presence of Rebecca throughout much of the second half of the film (her friendship with Enid is central to the entire comic). Even so, the introduction of Steve Buscemi's character takes the film in a similar but different direction than the original story, so not only can this be forgiven, and not only is it unavoidable for the new story to work, but it's actually a treat for fans of the comic, because it's essentially all-new material that's the comic's equal. And the performances...I've already gone on all day. You must buy this.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and surreal depiction of life after high school
Review: First of all, let me just say that this movie is not for everyone. It's for the people who enjoy the extremely quirky comedies like 'Rushmore'. The comedy here is not the laugh out loud type (although in some parts I just couldn't help cracking up), it's more the intelligent chuckle type. The film features Thora Birch and Scarlett Johanssen as two very cynical high school graduates, Enid and Rebecca respectively, who torture and ridicule the pop culture infested folks around them. They find joy in calling up people in the personal ads, inviting them on a date and then watching the stood up person's agony. But things change when they play this trick on Seymour (played by a brilliant Steve Buscemi), a dorky, avid collector of records and 1930's memorobilia. What enfolds is a story that could be called a coming of age one. Enid and Rebecca realize that they are growing apart in ways they can't help. The film is directed with ease by Terry Zwigoff and features amazing performances from all involved. The story features some seriously screwed up characters included a man named Norm who waits day in and day out for a bus that never comes and a video store worker who mistakes Fellini's '8 1/2' for the soft core porn '9 1/2 Weeks'. If you're looking for a film with an interesting story or just feel fed up with the Britney Spears obsessed culture around you, pop this flick in and revel in the cynicism. It's a trip and I highly recommend that you take it.
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