Ghost Town

Rating: out of
Released: 2008
Directed by: David Koepp
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Tea Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Kristen Wiig


What Is It About?

Ricky Gervais is a dentist, who dies for 7 minutes while undergoing a standard medical procedure. After reviving, he finds himself able to see ghosts of the dead. One such ghost (Greg Kinnear) asks him to help his wife (Tea Leoni).

Who Made It?

The film was co-written and directed by David Koepp. Koepp is a longtime screenwriter (SPIDER MAN, JURASSIC PARK and INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL). He previously directed THE TRIGGER EFFECT, STIR OF ECHOES and SECRET WINDOW.

His co-writer is John Kamps, who Koepp collaborated with on the screenplay of ZATHURA.

Is It Any Good?

Judging from the box office over the past weekend, it doesn’t look like people know who Ricky Gervais is. The creator of the British version of THE OFFICE as well as EXTRAS, he is one of the funniest men alive.

This is a role he didn’t originate, and he is very funny in it, playing a man who has no use for anyone else.

Yes, the story isn’t anything new. It is essentially GHOST WHISPERER without Jennifer Love Hewitt. I’m surprised the GHOST lawyers haven’t filed an injunction or something.

Like in Koepp’s previous directorial effort TRIGGER EFFECT, the film is surprisingly lackluster. There is no real drive to the story. I think he may be a better writer than director. The set ups are fine, but the film feels empty.

It was good to see Tea Leoni again. Having liked her since her 1992 Fox sitcom FLYING BLIND, she hasn’t had the career she should have.

But, as usual, Kristen Wiig is perfect in her brief role as the doctor who is responsible for Gervais’ operation. She only has a couple scenes, but is the best thing about the film.

Like the recent HAMLET 2, where Steve Coogan didn’t really connect with the greater American moviegoing public, it looks like Gervais will end up being worshipped by a cult in this country, rather than become a huge movie star.

Maybe that is a good thing.

Reviewed by: Jim Magovern

Oct 03,2008