"Ghost Town" Review: Who says a mean guy can't find love?

When it was suggested that I see Ghost Town, I was reluctant only because Ricky Gervais in what appears to be a love story? Really? Then I realized that it was Gervais who exported and has supported the iconic love story of Jim and Pam for all of us Americans. And yet Gervais still doesn't have that presence that other British actors have in the US. He has yet to prove that his one-two punch of writing and acting talent drizzled with expert comedic timing could transcend the Atlantic Ocean. Though I think that with this film and this particular role he is about to come out with guns blazing.

Ricky Gervais is Bertram Pincus. A misanthropic and miserable asshole of a dentist who values his space and alone time. One day he goes in for a routine medical procedure and ends up dying for seven minutes. Though he doesn't realize this until he leaves the hospital and finds that he can see ghosts. In fact it seems that Manhattan is riddled with people in the after-life wandering the streets literally like lost puppies.

One of the ghosts that Dr. Pincus cannot shake is a guy named Frank (Greg Kinnear) who died and left his wife, Gwen (Tea Leoni). Frank tells Dr. Pincus that if he helps to get Gwen away from the man she is currently engaged to then he and the other spirits will leave him alone for good. Franks normal unwillingness to barricade himself from the rest of the world turns a little softer as he and Gwen get to know each other. Frank slowly starts to put down is 'I'm a dickhead' front as he slowly falls in love with Gwen.

It's all very typical on the surface perhaps but the combination of Gervais and Kinnear: One being a bit of a bumbling idiot who you'd never root for in a love story and the other being a jerk but at least he's a jerk who can do the love thing; well it makes for laughter and a bit of heartbreak and maybe even a tear or two. Or at least that tell tale lump in the back of your throat.

The story follows that premise that spirits who are still walking the Earth are here because of unfinished business. Dr. Pincus is followed by ghosts because he can help them leave and finish their business by telling those they left behind how they really felt. In turn helping him to realize the power of simple kindness and love. And let's have a collective AWW right here.

It's good and heartwarming and both painfully awkward and hilarious. This will surely put Gervais on the map over on this side of the pond.

Comments

[Marmite Breath]

I LOVE Gervais and I can't wait to see this movie. Thanks for the review, Heather.

[bd]

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I did enjoy it and I thought the premise was stupid. But Gervais was GREAT and Kinnear is typical smart-alec. Great combo on screen.

[180/360]

I love Ricky Gervais, too. But I think anyone who has seen Extra's would argue that he has already proven his writing/acting/comedic genius! I will definitely have to check out this movie!

[Heather B.]

I would also agree that Gervais is awesome in Extras but remember it's on premium cable and a surprise number of people still don't havve HBO also he mostly plays to a certain audience. So hopefully this film will bring him out into mainstream a little more. What I'm worried about is that this movie is getting lost among the shuffle of big blockbuster movies like Eagle Eye, Miracle at St. Anna and the marketing machine known as Nights in Rodanthe. People are mostly getting to this one via word of mouth. But it really is hilarious and y'all should go see it.

Also; if you all ever have any movies that you REALLY want for me to go see email me (nopasanadablog@gmail.com) or comment.

[Mandy]

My husband and I saw this opening weekend and there were like 20 other people in the theater. So sad.
We both really liked the movie - it was the first movie to make me laugh out loud in a while - BUT I think it only worked because Ricky Gervais is comedic gold. Without him, I think the movie would have been just ok.

[gina]

LOVED this! laughed, cried.

[Stacey]

I shared your reluctance in the beginning. After only seeing the preview twice on t.v. (and what a horrible preview it was), I was on the fence. I had decided to rent it later. My parents strong armed my husband and I into going to see it in the theater. My husband had no clue who Ricky Gervais was, nor did he realize the Office existed overseas long before the Carrell show.
We were both impressed and laughed our asses off. It was a great movie. It made me cry, too ;)