Movie 82: Ghost Town

Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is a dentist who hates people. He’s generally just a bit of a prick. When he goes for a routine colonoscopy he insists on general anaesthetic, and dies for around 7 minutes. When he comes back he’s able to see the ghosts of dead people who can’t move on because of unfinished business. One of them, Frank (Greg Kinnear), smooth talks Pincus in to helping him move on by splitting up his wife and her new guy who he thinks is after her money.

I’ll say right now that I don’t jump for joy when I say the name Ricky Gervais. While he can be funny I think the guy is an arrogant prick. Basically the roles he plays, though the roles themselves are more human and vulnerable. Of course this is his public persona I’m going by, he might actually be a decent guy. ANYWAY what I’m saying is that I wasn’t particularly looking forward to this movie and the trailer didn’t make it look funny.

But it is. I wouldn’t say its hilarious, but it’s a funny little rom com type movie. Pretty predictable, nice little twist on a generic movie type. You know how its going to progress and how it will end, but it entertains you on the way there.

Gervais is somewhat toned down from full on snarky prick, his character isn’t particularly arrogant just a bit of a cynic.

Greg Kinnear’s character IS a prick, but he’s good at this kind of smooth bastard. The real good point is seeing Aasif Mandvi from The Daily Show getting to stretch some acting muscles in what is essentially a straight role. He’s a fine actor.

Another plus point. It has some opportunities for some very base gross out humour, and doesn’t take them. It would have hurt rather than helped the movie where as handling them subtly works really well. Take note, shit comedy directors. BUT it is a bit heavy on the fumbly speech where characters kind of stumble over each other for comedic effect. It works a couple of times, but starts to get a bit old before the film is done.

It’s a good bank holiday watch, or for a rainy Sunday or something. If you’re a Gervais fan you’ve probably already seen it, and if you haven’t should probably hunt it out. For the rest of you it’s the kind of movie that’s worth watching but not busting your gut to try and find or anything.

Next up: Max Payne