Capsule: "The Ghost Writer"

"Eat it Obi. I was James Bond."

"Ghost Writer" has plenty of contemporary baggage going for it. Like for example, "The Ghost Writer" has an awesome and intriguing parallel between Tony Blair and his seemingly insane support of the Bush administration in the midst of Middle Eastern crises. And yes, "Ghost Writer" is now semi-notorious courtesy of the globe-trotting legal affairs of the film's director Roman Polanski. It's timely as all get out, and worthy of interest because of just that. But, that's not the most important reason to see "Ghost Writer."

Go see the "Ghost Writer" because it's just such a refreshingly taut, mature and entertaining little thriller. It's so easy (and trite in criticism) to declare whether or not a movie's worth any the price of admission, but for some reason, I couldn't help but think of the old standard for a film's worth. Not only was I happy to see this, I was pissed that I payed matinee price, and I wished that I'd spent my $16 "Avatar" dollars on "Ghost Writer" instead. A perfect theater-going experience of a film, "Ghost Writer" has the gift of presenting all the good old things we go to see movies for — great casting, unique locals, snappy writing, taught and unshowy tension, and a hell of a mystery. Sure, "Ghost Writer" is not without flaw — its motivations and resolution will confound the easiest viewer. But, in the end, I left the theater completely satisfied with what I saw: a really good movie.

Before I get into generics on filmgoing and why "Ghost Writer" was superior, let me specify what this was all about.

Ewan McGregor is the eponymous ghost writer, somewhat surreptitiously asked to complete the lucrative biography of England's last Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), an obvious nod to Blair. McGregor (he's known only as the "Ghost" in the credits) is in the odd predicament of filling the shoes of the last ghost, who died under spooky and/or highly questionable circumstances and left behind a messy transcript. As the Ghost says: "The words are there, but they're in the wrong order." Oh what a great tease for this movie! Or, is that a general statement on my writing?

The Ghost is brought to the US in a Hamptons-esque (Was is supposed to be the Hamptons? And how surreal was it that they use Germany?) estate where Lang is holing up amidst hearings and press against him, concerning his involvement with torture. Like any solid Polanski piece, the characters are kinkily interesting, complete with their own unqie and understated baggage. Lang himself is affable enough, as the most popular politicians are, but short on the fuse, willing to yell and scream at any moment. Lang's wife, Ruth (a sultry Olivia Williams) seems to be calmer and more knowledgeable of what goes on than her husband. Lang's assistant also withholds, Tom Wilkinson is unnerving as a know-nothing former colleague, and Eli Wallach is the sanest old man living in seclusion that you'll ever see. All these people and more come and go as the Ghost looks for answers in the death of the last writer.

Did the Ghost need to get involved with everything? Are his motivations solely plot-driven or legit? Who gives a shit? The intrigue is what makes this all worthwhile.

Giving up the ghost: I said this was worth a trip, and I still think that.

- Seeing this in the dark, with a quiet crowd and clean screen made you able to laser focus on every oddball detail. Maudlin, murky thrillers like this should be seen in a theater. The baroque interiors and perpetually grey skies give off such a perfect vibe with a slight need for focus. That why there's no way you could watch it on a Sunday afternoon on FX. Theater is the best for something like this.

- With an eccentric and eager cast (Tim Hutton, Kim Cattral, Eli Wallch, Jim Belushi!!!), this film doesn't boast stars, but oddly noticeable names, fitting for such a grim affair.

- Roman Polanski is an artist. That's a fact. He made "Knife in the Water" and "The Pianist" and about a dozen greats in between. Please leave preconceived notions behind, and you'll see a solid thriller. Bring those notions, and you might see a director at a height of maturity, skill and craft.

- This movie was delightfully adult. Sex, banter, and odd behavior for grown people made "Ghost Writer" just so refreshingly discreet. Nothing blows up. No one has a grand-standing diatribe or action scene. Just puzzles and plain character to help us along the way.

- Did I mention, this was a film where I just felt all too happy that I saw it in a theater?

In summation, I'm already forgetting its imperfections. "Ghost Writer" is at times questionable and for the most part, pretty satisfying. But it just felt so cool to see something not in 3D, or IMAX, that felt like traditional filmmaking. Like "Third Man" I guess. Hmm, maybe that's the link...

Grab a seat for "The Ghost Writer," before it fades from the theater.