I vaguely recall when The Ghost Writer was released in theaters very early in the year, and i'm sure I just passed it off as a less-than-satisfactory winter thriller. After all, how many decent movies are released in the first months of any year? How shocked was I to discover that The Ghost Writer is definitely one of the best movies of the year!Roman Polanski is a director I am not too familiar with, aside from The Pianist and his 60's horror flick Rosemary's Baby. While he is an exceptionally visual and emotional director, I think his work with The Ghost Writer could easily qualify as some of his best work.
The film is a great homage to the work of Hitchcock. It is in the silent moments that suspense is created - what we don't see as opposed to on-screen action. The story follows Ewan McGregor, a ghost writer assigned to complete the memoirs of a former Prime Minister, played with surprising depth and quality by Pierce Brosnan. As the past is resurfaced, current dramas and scandals arise, and the film takes an intensely thrilling turn. I can't think of any other way to appropriately describe it, other than a brilliant political thriller and sharply-tuned drama. All technical aspects are brilliant, with noteable praise going to the original score, easily some of the best work by one of the greatest living composers: Alexandre Desplat.
Unfortunately for the film, its early release date will most likely hamper its chances at any nominations - although they would be richly deserved. This movie will be proof that in order to win Oscars, you need not be the best of the year, rather a film released in the latter half of the year. This is a fabulous, amazing film.
(Awards potential (Based on what I believe the film deserves, not necesarily what it will receive nominations for): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Brosnan), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score)
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