Directed by:
Roman PolańskiCinematography:
Pawel EdelmanComposer:
Alexandre DesplatCast:
Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Hutton, Jon Bernthal, Tim Preece, Robert Pugh, David Rintoul, Eli Wallach (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
When a successful British ghostwriter agrees to complete the memoirs of former British Prime Minister Adam Lang, his agent assures him it's the opportunity of a lifetime. But the project seems doomed from the start - not least because his predecessor on the project, Lang's long-term aide, died in an accident. The ghostwriter flies out to work on the project, in the middle of winter, to an oceanfront house on an island off the U.S. Eastern seaboard. But the day he arrives, a former British cabinet minister accuses Lang of authorizing the illegal seizure of suspected terrorists and handing them over for torture by the CIA - a war crime. Lang faces prosecution by the International Criminal Court, unless he stays in the U.S. or goes to another country that does not recognize that court. The controversy brings reporters and protesters swarming to the island mansion where Lang is staying with his wife, Ruth, and his personal assistant (and mistress), Amelia. As the ghostwriter works, he uncovers clues suggesting his predecessor may have stumbled on a dark secret linking Lang to the CIA - and that somehow this information is hidden in the manuscript he left behind. Adam Lang is assassinated, but the ghostwriter eventually completes the book anyway. During the presentation of the book, the ghostwriter stumbles upon the clues to the mystery. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (13)
It is almost admirable how Polanski managed to create a small cinematic treat out of a seemingly dull, shabby and not very exciting premise. Everything from the actors to the pleasantly old-fashioned direction works like a Swiss watch, the tension is not created by flashy moments, strained dialogue or, God forbid, action, but by an omnipresent paranoid atmosphere, the distant setting and the eternally cloudy weather. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised by the final twist (although the film doesn't stand on it) and I applaud Polanski for the ironic slap to the unprepared viewer at the very end. 4,5*.
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A stylish comeback. An inscrutably mysterious plot in an indistinctly attractive environment with an atmosphere of subtle immersion – I expected many things, but definitely not such a self-assured exploration of paranoid or political intrigues. That tangible feeling of tightening loops I still can't shake off.
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A well-directed old-school paranoia that more than its engaging plot and unprecedented drive, uses minimalist sets, a gloomy atmosphere and other Polanski filmmaking devices and proprieties to tell a thematically well-supported story, which might make one smile at how the master has it all figured out and in control, but could have been much more entertaining and brisk.
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It's not really rocket science, as we learn at the end, but Polanski pulls the viewer along very skillfully throughout. The cold and distant atmosphere created by the weepy weather and one architecturally ornate house works. It's not classic "schizophrenia," but McGregor's paranoia grows to unsuspected proportions as the minutes tick by, especially with the equally excellent ensemble cast around him, and I waited for the climax with the eagerness of a small child. The handing of the tickets is one of the most intense scenes of the year. 4 ½.
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The plot is actually about nothing and the story as a whole is not one of the most thought-provoking and formally unique, but Polanski confirms his qualities and delivers another piece of proper filmmaking, which, hand in hand with an excellent acting duo, is an ideal programme for a long winter evening. I actually don’t see any reason to look for flaws when I had a good time with a well made film...
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