Bertram Pincus (Gervais) is a real sour puss of a dentist who can't stand people, including fellow dentist Dr. Prashar (Aasif Mandvi), or much else for that matter. During a routine medical procedure for which he requests general anesthesia something out of the ordinary happens. According to the surgeon (the perpetually weird Kristen Wiig), he died - just a little bit. After his brush with death, everything goes back to normal except for one thing. He can see ghosts.
Being the only living person they can talk to, these ghosts (including Alan Ruck) who have not moved on, have a lot to ask of him. In particular, Frank (Greg Kinnear), whose ironic death came at a very inconvenient time for him, wants Pincus' help in stopping his wife (Téa Leoni) from marrying another jerk (Billy Campbell). With little choice in the matter, Pincus reluctantly obliges and in the process finds himself falling in love for the first time.
For a rather original plot, it feels like it's already been done. The ghost aspect is somewhat pushed to the side in favor of the romantic interaction of the leads. Even though Frank is around much of the movie, I kind of forget that he's a ghost. He's just an annoying guy that only Pincus can see. Gervais is a bit out of place here, being the only Brit in the New York setting. It wouldn't be hard to imagine that his portrayed annoyance is actually annoyance and bewilderment of being transplanted out of the UK and into Hollywood. His jokes and mannerisms are distinctly British and clash with the rest of the movie - which actually works much of the time, but not always. The story itself is pretty standard fare once the fantastical elements are removed.
There are definitively some very funny parts, and a few touching scenes, but nothing to lift Ghost Town above average.
*** (3/5 stars)
No comments:
Post a Comment