Originally published Friday, September 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments
E-mail article
Print view
Movie review
"Ghost Town": Gervais is mordant life of the party
Comedian Ricky Gervais is the reason to see "Ghost Town," a vanilla light-supernatural-romantic-comedy.
Seattle Times staff reporter
"Ghost Town," with Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, Greg Kinnear. Directed by David Koepp, from a screenplay by Koepp and John Kamps. 102 minutes. Rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references. Several theaters.
If we're stuck wandering around in the afterlife in what we wore at the moment of death, I'm ditching the Underoos promptly.
None of the spirits haunting — make that harassing — Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) knew this or prepared. One's naked. Another in a tuxedo (Greg Kinnear) wants Pincus to stop his widow (Téa Leoni) from marrying a handsome jerk.
Maybe M. Night Shyamalan is due some cash, because "Ghost Town" is essentially "The Sixth Sense" with the hilarious British misanthrope from the original version of "The Office" and "Extras," whose catchphrase would be "I see dead people, and I wish I could serve them all with restraining orders."
Continually put-upon, sarcastic and even a bit lovable, Gervais is the reason to see this otherwise vanilla light-supernatural-romantic-comedy. He plays a New York dentist (and it's even somehow funny to see him waddling around in the white smock) who dies for a few minutes during a routine colonoscopy — two words that really shouldn't be paired. After an explanation from the bumbling doctor ("Saturday Night Live's" Kristen Wiig), Pincus finds himself besieged with the dead that only he can see, and who all want him to help with their unfinished business.
Chief among them is Frank (Kinnear), a Clintonesque philanderer who won't leave Pincus alone until he helps with his quirky Egyptologist wife, Gwen, and also makes her understand that despite his behavior, he loved her. Along the way — and you don't need to be psychic to see this coming — Pincus begins to fall for her and become more of a human.
"Ghost Town is an odd departure for director and co-writer David Koepp, known mainly for writing "Spider-Man," "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," and other action-fantasy blockbusters. He has a deft, clean touch with the lighter material, despite the overwhelming sense that you've seen it in different incarnations. There's even a touch of welcome complexity in the emotions surrounding Frank's behavior. (I wonder if audiences in, say, France would find Frank the hero and not Pincus. I do not see what zee problem ees!)
Fans of Gervais' awkward, caustic brand of humor should be pleased to see him in a big Hollywood movie that'll make him more of a household name. People just introduced to him here will have unfinished business until they check out the "The Office" and "Extras."
Mark Rahner: 206-464-8259
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
New DVDs | 'Up,' 'The Ugly Truth,' 'Enlighten Up!'
Carrey's 'Christmas Carol' wraps up $31M weekend
50 years: Kan. town grieves 'In Cold Blood' deaths
Lawyer: Woods' brother did not get proper care
Dining Deals: Late-night Pike Street Fish Fry expands its hours

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Huskies are finding talent in Tacoma
- Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
263 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
217 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
209 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
192 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
131 - Obama pressed into role as national healer
107 - Time to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back in 2010
98 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
96 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
85 - DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
83
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Rainier Pacific Financial calls rescue 'unlikely'








