In THE GHOST WRITER, a car ferry arrives at a Massachusetts port, but one of the cars doesn't drive off; its owner has apparently fallen overboard. The dead man was political advisor to former British Prime Minister Adam Lang, PIERCE BROSNAN; he had been ghost writing the PM's memoirs. In London, the publishers quickly hire a new ghost writer, EWAN MCGREGOR, and despatch him to America where he finds Lang holed up in a bunker-like house together with his wife, Ruth, OLIVIA WILLIAMS, and his personal assistant, Amelia, KIM CATTRALL. Well, that's how ABC TV's At the Movies reviewer David Stratton describes the scenario for this Saturday night's MI Film Society's movie of the month to be screened at 8pm at the All Seasons hotel in Nelly Bay

David and Margaret Pomeranz go on to score this movie a very impressive four and a half stars (out of five) each.

David continues: "Just as the ghost writer begins his collaboration, Lang is accused by a former colleague of war crimes.

"Robert Harris' best-selling book, 'THE GHOST', caused a fuss when it was published because of the obvious similarities between the fictional Adam Lang and Britain's former PM, TONY BLAIR. The material has obviously inspired Roman Polanski who, though unable to travel to Britain or America, where the film is set, overcame these restrictions to create an authentic-looking drama (shooting was completed before his recent house arrest in Switzerland).

"As a genuinely suspenseful thriller, THE GHOST WRITER is one of Polanski's best; the screws are gradually tightened as the hapless ghost writer (the character is never named) discovers more and more dangerous secrets and begins to suspect his predecessor has been murdered.

"There are some tasty twists, mounting tension as characters such as those played by Tom Wilkinson and Eli Wallach are introduced, and it's all wrapped up with a fine, creepy music score by Alexander Desplat. A powerful contemporary thriller."

Film details:Classification: MA
Duration: 128 mins
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Mystery
Director: Roman Polanski
Lead actor: Ewan McGregor
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Timothy Hutton, John Berntahl, David Rintoul, Robert Pugh, Eli Wallach
Producer: Roman polanski, Robert Benmussa, Alain Sarde
Screenplay: Robert Harris and Roman Polanski
Music: Alexandre Desplat
Distributor: Hoyts Distribution
Language: English
Country: United Kingdom


Screening details:
Screening at all seasons Magnetic International, 61 Mandalay Ave Nelly Bay
Screenings at 8 pm on First Saturday of the Month
Admission: Adults $10.00; Concession $8.00; Members Free.
Annual MIFS membership: $50.00 Conc. $40.00 Annual membership includes free admission for one calendar year (11 screenings) & discount tickets to the Annual MIFS Film Festival. Half-yearly also available.