Independent Pick: Ghost World (2001)
Ghost World is a comedy-drama directed by Terry Zwigoff (Bad Santa), focusing on a life-changing summer for Enid Coleslaw (Thora Birch) and Rebecca Doppelmeyer (Scarlett Johansson) – who find themselves at a crossroads. In this adaptation of Daniel Clowes’ comic book, these characters are unable to find any real direction in their own lives, so they distract themselves from that emptiness by centring their energies on Seymour (Steve Buscemi) – a lonely man whose personal ad searching for a woman he met captures their attention. They engage in cruel manipulations, but ultimately find their hitherto entwined paths diverging, despite their attempts to cling to their manufactured ‘norm.’ As the consequences of their actions unfold, lives begin to unravel and their situations are irrevocably changed.
This is a deftly executed trick of a movie – seemingly one thing, but then revealed to be another. At first, Enid and Rebecca are deeply loathsome individuals – wandering aimlessly, judging everyone around them, manipulating people and situations to their own ends. But, look closer, and Ghost World is the story of two young women compelled to buck the social conventions that have at once rejected and constrained them. They are in limbo – a social ghostly plane – where they are neither included in the community that swamps them, nor afforded the opportunity to leave.
Of real interest here are the exceptional performances from the young actresses in the lead roles. Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson clearly demonstrate why, in the case of Birch, they were highly respected at the time and, in the case of Johansson, why she has forged a long career of varied and successful projects. They carry this film on their backs – leading the audience through every turn in their twisted plans, without ever making it seem as though our hands are being held. Talent indeed – from all involved – which is why Ghost World comes highly recommended.
