I gave it a similar rating, but did not enjoy watching it.
The Ghost (or The Ghostwriter, as you will) is a brilliant piece of filmmaking; subtle is the keyword, and subtly boring is the result. Mr. Polanski's direction is flawless, yet also arching back to a time we have well forgotten;
A young "chap" is hired by a government official to ghost-write his memoirs; The job is uncomfortable due to the oppressing security regime, worsened by a scandal happening as the story unfolds. between the beginning of the film, and near the end, the atmosphere of security has turned into one of paranoia, and hints that violence is around the corner - the writer's predecessor has died "on the job", and we are led to believe that this may happen to the protagonist as well. The escalation of suspense is the only thing that really happens for the first 90 minutes - a lifetime by today's standards; a very brief chase scene later, the conclusion: the assassination of the politician, and the revelation that yes, one of the family members of said politician was indeed an agent of the CIA. and the protagonist is also killed, in the last 20 seconds of film.
Now that's all fine and dandy if this were 1956, but in 2010 a film like this has no place in the theatres - rather, an art film festival might be more appropriate. Polanski' direction is really excellent, but his choice of script for his big comeback movie is very awkward.. there practically is no story, no plot, no twist. Guy reads a book, in it is written that one person is a spy, and thats how he finds out. Not exactly All the President's Men, is it? Anyway, for being absolutely exquisitely shot, i'l give it a 9. take a point off for the ultra-cliché' soundtrack (seriously, '60 timewarp) and another two for having absolutely no plot to keep you watching, and you have the final score.
A film destined to be quickly forgotten. 6/10
^original review from 2010.
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