Ghost Town
What actor just turned 50, is one of the funniest men alive, and whose name rhymes with Micky Tervais?Ding Ding!! Happy Birthday Ricky Gervais!
In Ghost Town Gervais plays a socially awkward, cynical dentist named Bertram Pincus. He lives his life in mundane peace until he goes in for a routine colonoscopy and well, dies. After a few short minutes Pincus is revived but discovers that he can now see dead people. And they all want something from him including Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear) who wants Pincus to break up the fast approaching marriage of his widow Gwen (Tia Leoni). If only to get rid of Frank, Pincus agrees but ends up making a big mess out of everything, including his own feelings for the beautiful Gwen!
Again, I’ll say it; Ghost Town is my favorite work of Art in Ricky Gervais’s portfolio! A movie all about taking chances, and appreciating the ones that mean the most to you. The film delivers line after line of perfectly timed comedy. Gervais is brilliant, he’s rude and cynical and kind all in one British ball of goodness. Tea Leoni also delivered a good performance, but I think she was too prim and perfect for Ricky Gervais’s character. I had a hard time feeling any on screen chemistry between the two. Last big name in this film is Greg Kinnear who I thought was the perfect actor for a cheating husband who spends his after-life in pitiful regret finding out, albeit a little too late, how wonderful his wife was. A perfect mix of romance and comic relief, I wouldn’t miss this skipped flic!!
Motherly Advice: I had my filters set on medium for Ghost Town and was spared a whole lot of swearing, but there are no sex scenes and no immodest clothing. Just be aware that there is a lot of “English” humor which can be a bit crass. One scene in particular is the colonoscopy scene where Pincus is being asked questions regarding his bowels. You can only imagine the lines that come out of that scene. Ghost Town is a riot but it is definitely not appropriate for young ears. I would recommend this film for ages 17 and up.
Trisha - Make a wish and blow out your candles Mr. Gervais!
Rated PG-13 for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references; 102 min; Directed by David Koepp