Ghost Town (2008)

“We just get the one life, you know. Just one. You can’t live someone else’s or think it’s more important just because it’s more dramatic. What happens matters. Maybe only to us, but it matters. ” – Gwen

Number of Times Seen – Twice (16 Mar 2009 and 3 May 2020)

Brief Synopsis – After a near death experience, a socially awkward dentist finds that he can now communicate with ghosts with unfinished business.

My Take on it – This is a film that I saw when it came on video years ago and was quite intrigued to revisit it because I’ve always been a fan of Ricky Gervais’ work.

He is the kind of actor and person (his hosting of the Golden Globes has proven that he is like this in real life) that will always say what’s on his mind no matter what.

His delivery of the dialogue in this film feels like that too and that allows him to have a very unique kind of comedy style.

He finds a way to make his character seem so real and is able to make both the dramatic and comedic parts of this film come forth in a realistic way.

The film also has a great supporting cast who help make things even more powerful since these characters are all quite diverse in their personalities and ways that they present things.

Tea Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Aasif Mandvi, Kirsten Wiig and even Alan Ruck all do wonderful jobs with their roles.

This is a film that brings forth a fantastical premise that makes one wonder whether there truly are trapped spirits in the world trying to find a way to cross the cosmic planes once their unfinished business if they just are able to get a slight nudge in the right direction.

Bottom Line – Really fun movie that works due to Gervais’ intriguing style of comedy. He makes us believe everything that his character needs to go through and is able to make the comedic and dramatic parts of this story come across in a very genuine way. The supporting cast is also great with Leoni, Kinnear, Wiig, Mandvi and even Ruck help make this even more powerful and enjoyable because of the diverse personalities of these characters. The story actually makes one think so much about what happens after death and whether there really are spirits stuck between the cosmic planes with unresolved issues that need help moving forward. Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Ironically, Ricky Gervais is an outspoken atheist in real life. (From IMDB)

Rating – Globe Worthy (8/10)