Retro Film Review: City of Ghosts (2002)
In light of what happened during Katrina, many would argue that the famous American actor Matt Dillon had the real misfortune of releasing his directorial debut, City of Ghosts, at least three years too early. The beginning of this thriller's plot describes a situation many Americans can relate to - a disastrous hurricane has devastated the East Coast, and for numerous families, insurance appears to be the only way to rebuild their lives. However, many face an unpleasant surprise when it transpires that Capable Trust Co. was nothing but a clever con scheme. Jimmy Cremming (portrayed by Matt Dillon) is one of the company's employees who, after being interviewed by the FBI, flees to Cambodia to locate his boss and mentor, Marvin (played by James Caan). Upon arrival, he gradually realises that Marvin is entangled in more than just evading authorities, and their quest may entangle them with various unsavoury characters in and outside Cambodia.
"City of Ghosts" holds the dubious honour of being one of the few low-budget films labelled as box-office flops in recent memory. The critical reception of the film was equally unfavourable. While there are numerous reasons for this, the most apparent is Matt Dillon's lack of directorial experience. This is evident in the beginner's mistake of being overly enamoured with his work, resulting in unnecessary length and occasional confusion in City of Ghosts. Nonetheless, Dillon's affection extends not only to his film but also to the country that inspired him years ago. Few recent films have captured a sense of place, its exotic visuals, customs, bloody history, and relatively peaceful present with such meticulous attention to detail. City of Ghosts, often cited as the first Hollywood production in Cambodia since 1965's Lord Jim, may be criticised for various aspects, but squandering locations and local talent is not one of them.
Conversely, viewers of this film may question Dillon's choice not to channel his talent into a documentary instead of infusing this captivating setting with an unconvincing plot and clichéd characters. The performances are occasionally surprisingly strong, particularly when first-time actors like Kem Sereyvuth (portraying the protagonist's sidekick) and Chalee Sankavesa are paired with veterans such as Dillon or Caan. However, actors like Gerard Depardieu and Natascha McElhone are underutilised in unnecessary roles, especially McElhone, who portrays the protagonist's obligatory romantic interest. The belated ending, adhering to Hollywood's moralistic storytelling principles, may seem predictable to some. Yet, those who endure the film will be rewarded with a memorable experience - sights and sounds seldom witnessed in contemporary Hollywood productions.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
(Note: Original version of the review is available here.)
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