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IMDbPro

The Ghost Writer

  • 20102010
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 8m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
164K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,255
392
Pierce Brosnan and Ewan McGregor in The Ghost Writer (2010)
A ghostwriter (McGregor) hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister (Brosnan) uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy.
Play trailer2:11
8 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDramaMystery
A ghost writer, hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister, uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy.A ghost writer, hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister, uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy.A ghost writer, hired to complete the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister, uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
164K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,255
392
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Roman Polanski
    • Writers
      • Robert Harris(screenplay)
      • Roman Polanski(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Ewan McGregor
      • Pierce Brosnan
      • Olivia Williams
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Roman Polanski
    • Writers
      • Robert Harris(screenplay)
      • Roman Polanski(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Ewan McGregor
      • Pierce Brosnan
      • Olivia Williams
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 443User reviews
    • 350Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
    • Awards
      • 33 wins & 56 nominations

    Videos8

    The Ghost Writer: Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:11
    The Ghost Writer: Trailer #1
    "Jumping Ship" from The Ghost Writer
    Clip 1:07
    "Jumping Ship" from The Ghost Writer
    "Confrontation" from The Ghost Writer
    Clip 1:24
    "Confrontation" from The Ghost Writer
    The Ghost Writer
    Interview 0:59
    The Ghost Writer
    The Ghost Writer
    Interview 0:56
    The Ghost Writer
    The Ghost Writer
    Interview 0:34
    The Ghost Writer
    The Ghost Writer
    Interview 1:12
    The Ghost Writer
    The Ghost Writer
    Interview 0:33
    The Ghost Writer

    Photos120

    Ewan McGregor in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Ewan McGregor in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Ewan McGregor in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Pierce Brosnan in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Pierce Brosnan in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Ewan McGregor and Kim Cattrall in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Pierce Brosnan and Olivia Williams in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Ewan McGregor and Roman Polanski in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Roman Polanski in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Ewan McGregor in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, and Olivia Williams in The Ghost Writer (2010)
    Ewan McGregor in The Ghost Writer (2010)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ewan McGregor
    Ewan McGregor
    • The Ghost
    Pierce Brosnan
    Pierce Brosnan
    • Adam Lang
    Olivia Williams
    Olivia Williams
    • Ruth Lang
    Jon Bernthal
    Jon Bernthal
    • Rick Ricardelli
    Tim Preece
    • Roy
    Jim Belushi
    Jim Belushi
    • John Maddox
    • (as James Belushi)
    Timothy Hutton
    Timothy Hutton
    • Sidney Kroll
    Anna Botting
    Anna Botting
    • SKY TV Newsreader
    Yvonne Tomlinson
    • Stewardess
    Milton Welsh
    Milton Welsh
    • Taxi Driver
    Alister Mazzotti
    • Protection Officer #1
    Tim Faraday
    • Barry
    Kim Cattrall
    Kim Cattrall
    • Amelia Bly
    Kate Copeland
    • Alice
    Soogi Kang
    • Dep
    Lee Hong Thay
    • Duc
    John Keogh
    John Keogh
    • Protection Officer #2
    Hans-Peter Sussner
    • Protection Officer #3
    • Director
      • Roman Polanski
    • Writers
      • Robert Harris(screenplay) (novel "The Ghost")
      • Roman Polanski(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The end title designer forgot to use punctuation when writing the end credits. This resulted in all assistants being listed as "ass designer" or "ass painter" etc.
    • Goofs
      Ruth's accent changes randomly between very English posh and slightly Estuary (lower-class). This could be a clue that she has had to 'improve' her accent as she has ascended Lang's ladder and finds it difficult, as English people do, to keep up the pretence, especially at times of emotional stress.
    • Quotes

      Adam Lang: Spare me the bleeding-heart bullshit! Do you know what I'd do if I was in power again? I'd have two queues at airports: one for flights where we'd done no background checks, infringed on no one's civil bloody liberties, used no intelligence gained by torture. And on the other flight we'd do everything we possibly could to make it perfectly safe. And then we'd see which plane the Rycarts of this world would put their bloody kids on! And you can put that in the book!

    • Crazy credits
      There are no opening credits. The title and cast list do not appear until after the last scene of the movie.
    • Alternate versions
      US version was cut for language to secure a PG-13 rating (the usage of the words "fuck" and "shit" was severely toned down).
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Valentine's Day/Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief/The Wolfman/Ajami (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Hatherton
      Performed by David Majzlin

      Courtesy of Toy Hanner Music (ASCAP)

    User reviews443

    Review
    Top review
    Controlled enigma
    Roman Polanski's 'The Ghost Writer' bears the most in common with his recent 'The Ninth Gate'. The comparison starts this review as many others will inevitably find some comparison to be made with the director's work, especially since his personality looms so large.

    The plot has been described countless times and will be spared here. What instead fascinates is the depiction of Ewan McGregor as the nameless protagonist. He has no family, no real attachments so to speak, and no real drive. Like Johnny Depp's "book detective" in 'The Ninth Gate' his reason for existence seems to be to serve those higher in society. McGregor plays the party well, never completely convincing in one state or the other. Even when under duress his physical movements speak much more about his mental state than his mannerisms. This could be interpreted as Polanski's examination of apathy within larger society. What I mean by that is to say that it is through the Ghost's lack of interest that one can observe the world.

    Shot by Pawel Edelman, who has collaborated with Polanski in the past as well as with other heavyweight Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda, the images of 'The Ghost Writer' suggest a cool bleakness. Accompanied by a poetic score by the always reliable Alexandre Desplat the film suggests a constant looming menace, embodied by the rain of the New England island. The camera often remains static, sometimes zeroing in for reactions, but always showing a complete action through a singular movement or lack of movement. Often times the characters seem resigned to their fates. The roles each person plays in the story are very clearly defined. Former-PM Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), surrounded by his lackeys, anti-war protesters, etc. all seem just pieces of grander scale. Polanski's world view is so thoroughly and crisply represented through this visual style it is as if the individual events are not as important as the atmosphere in general.

    This is precisely why the film works, because of a director so in command of his craft. The film runs over 2 hours but every decision feels completely blocked and planned out. Every image carefully composed, every moment of information tightly plotted. 'The Ghost Writer' works terrifically by raising your blood level in this manner. Some will inevitably complain it makes the film seem merely serviceable when such expected plot twists occur. Yet I can think of few filmmakers so readily able to create such a vivid world and sustain it greatly. There are some pacing issues and the music can be overbearing. These are not unlike the problems facing Martin Scorsese's 'Shutter Island'. The talent of all involved makes the film exceed a workmanlike thriller even though the atmosphere on set was so mathematical.

    A very enjoyable, meticulous film that demands and rewards patience. Worth seeing.
    helpful•186
    58
    • Blade_Le_Flambeur
    • Feb 24, 2010

    FAQ4

    • What is "The Ghost Writer" about?
    • Is "The Ghost Writer" based on a book?
    • What happened to "The Ghost"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 19, 2010 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • Germany
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Stream Ghost Writer officially on Disney+ Hotstar Indonesia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Người Chấp Bút
    • Filming locations
      • Peenemünde, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany
    • Production companies
      • R.P. Productions
      • France 2 Cinéma
      • Studio Babelsberg
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $45,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $15,541,549
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $183,009
      • Feb 21, 2010
    • Gross worldwide
      • $60,331,447
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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