Ghost World (US)
Click to read:
Accentuate the negative
Certificate: R
Running Time: 111 mins
Retail Price: $26.98
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
They`re high school graduates - and the world`s got hell to pay! Hot new talents Thora Birch (American Beauty) and Scarlett Johansson (The Horse Whisperer) "sneak into your heart and stay there" (Rolling Stone) in this "uproariously funny" (Premiere) comedy from the acclaimed director of Crumb. With Brad Renfro (Deuces Wild), Illeana Douglas (Stir of Echoes) and Steve Buscemi (Fargo) in "the best role of his career" (Movieline), this "whip-smart comedy" is "a surprise gem" (People)!
When their classmates head for college, Enid (Birch) and Rebecca (Johansson) focus their energies on tormenting those around them! From a goofy convenience store clerk (Renfro) to an eccentric art teacher (Douglas), these two saboteurs wreak havoc on all those who cross their paths. But when they zero in on an oddball loner (Buscemi) looking for Miss Right, their seemingly innocent meddling threatens to shatter one of their hearts… not to mention their lifelong friendship!
Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Deleted And Alternate Scenes
Making Of Ghost World Featurette
Gumnaam Music Video "Jaan Pehechaan Ho"
Original Theatrical Trailer
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitle Tracks:
French
English
Spanish
CC: English
Directed By:
Terry Zwigoff
Written By:
Terry Zwigoff
Daniel Clowes
Daniel Clowes
Starring:
Bob Balaban
Illeana Douglas
Brad Renfro
Steve Buscemi
Scarlett Johansson
Thora Birch
Casting By:
Cassandra Kulukundis
Soundtrack By:
David Kitay
Director of Photography:
Affonso Beato
Editor:
Michael R. Miller
Carole Kravetz
Costume Designer:
Mary Zophres
Production Designer:
Edward T. McAvoy
Producer:
Russell Smith
John Malkovich
Barbara A. Hall
Lianne Halfon
Executive Producer:
Janette Day
Pippa Cross
Distributor:
United Artists
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Your Opinions and Comments
The video transfer is ok. While the image is clear of any compression signs, several scenes seem a bit blurry.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is flat, as you can expect from a dialog driven movie. There is an occasional usage of the surrounds during the (boring) music scenes.
The menus are animated with sound.
The extras include a behind the scenes look, 4 deleted and extended scenes and a so-called nostalgic music video.
Bottom line - I really don`t know how can anyone in his right mind appreciate this piece of trash. A total BOMB. One to avoid.
Despite this it is often a very funny film. The dialogue is tight, and brilliantly cynical. The humour is subtle and never shoved in your face, this is no comedy along the lines of American Pie. Thora Birch and Steve Buscemi both turn in fantastic and very human perfomances, above even their usual high standards.
Regarding the DVD, the transfer is generally excellent, highlighting the rich colour and impressive cinematography. The atmosphere of Enid`s suburbian prison is realised perfectly, and the quality of the picture helps bring this out. Sound is fine, although there isn`t much use for Dolby 5.1 in a film of this kind. The added features are also fairly perfunctory, but the shorts with Daniel Clowes are interesting. It would really have benefited from a commentry track, given how much the director and writer obviously put into the film.
However what we`re here for is the film, and you will find little to touch it. It`s a rare treat in the current glut of samey, formulaic films. It doesn`t rely on plot, but rather on creating a rich atmosphere and strong, carefully crafted characters. At turns very funny and deeply touching. A truly great film.