Film Review: The Ghost Writer (2010)

At the start of 21st century British Prime Minister Tony Blair was celebrated as one of the most popular politicians globally, even being informally dubbed the "leader of the Free World" following the departure of Bill Clinton and the election of George W. Bush. This status was not to last; Blair's enthusiastic support for the Iraq War and his role in the Global War on Terror led to a dramatic fall from grace. His legacy became marred by widespread disdain, positioning him among the most reviled British leaders in history, alongside figures like Margaret Thatcher before and Boris Johnson after him. Notably, some of his most vociferous critics emerged from his former friends and supporters, including bestselling author Robert Harris. Harris's 2007 novel, The Ghost, serves as a roman à clef that articulates his critical perspective on Blair's tenure. It was subsequently adapted into a feature film titled The Ghost Writer, directed by Roman Polanski, in 2010.

In The Ghost Writer, Blair’s fictional counterpart is Adam Lang, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan. The film unfolds after Lang has vacated office, a term characterised by sending British troops to wars under false pretences and allowing British citizens to be abducted in order to be tortured and killed abroad. Apart from public contempt, Lang recently has to deal with International Criminal Court due to allegations of war crimes. Lang and his wife Ruth (played by Olivia Williams) found refuge in the United States, which notably does not acknowledge ICC jurisdiction and is inclined to protect its former allies. Now residing in Martha’s Vineyard, Lang aims to redeem his reputation through a revealing memoir. The story follows an unnamed protagonist (played by Ewan McGregor), a ghostwriter hired to assist Lang in completing this manuscript. As he looks into Lang's work, he discovers that Lang’s previous ghostwriter died under suspicious circumstances and begins to uncover unsettling inconsistencies within the manuscript itself, hinting at secrets that powerful interests may wish to suppress.

The timing of Polanski's film release was unfortunate and coincided with Barack Obama’s ascension to the presidency, during which America and the world appeared to be entering a new political era. This shift rendered Iraq, Blair, wars and dark conspiracies—and by extension, The Ghost Writer—less relevant in the euphoric atmosphere of hope and change.

Polanski himself has been embroiled in controversy due to his personal history, notably the infamous 1977 case involving the sexual assault of a minor. This tarnished reputation cast a shadow over The Ghost Writer, particularly when Polanski was briefly detained by Swiss authorities during production.

When evaluated outside its historical context, The Ghost Writer presents itself as a well-crafted political thriller with competent direction and solid performances. However, it ultimately feels somewhat detached and emotionally cold. The film adheres to familiar tropes typical of the genre, featuring predictable twists and a dark conclusion reminiscent of 1970s cinematic classics. The pacing suffers from moments of stagnation where little occurs, leading to a story that can feel drawn out. For viewers acquainted with similar political thrillers, some plot developments may come across as overly familiar or even disappointing due to their lack of originality.

Conversely, those with a keen understanding of early 21st-century history may find amusement in Polanski's fictional representations of real-life figures. The portrayals extend beyond Blair to include characters based on his wife Cherie Blair, former foreign secretary Robin Cook, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and former Defence Secretary Robert McNamara. These characterisations provide a layer of intrigue for viewers familiar with their real-world counterparts.

However, The Ghost Writer faces significant challenges in resonating with contemporary audiences. What once constituted shocking revelations about political machinations has become commonplace knowledge in an era where many previously dismissed conspiracy theories have been validated. As a result, viewers today may struggle to spend two hours in order to learn what they already know.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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