The Ghost Writer

This is a brilliant film directed by 76-year-old Roman Polanski, with, perhaps, some influence by the late Alfred Hitchcock. The story is based on the ghost writer, played by Ewan McGregor, who is hired to finish an autobiography of the ex-British Prime Minister Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan). The previous ghost writer had mysteriously drowned, and, as McGregor begins writing in Lang’s Martha’s Vineyard hideaway, the more he delves into Lang’s life the more uncomfortable he becomes. Then he hears that Lang has been accused of war crimes and is being investigated by the World Court. The film twists and turns and is certainly entertaining with MrGregor having to deal with not only secret photographs and documents, but Lang’s wife, played brilliantly by Olivia Williams.

This film does not rely on violence; instead, it is heavy with suspense and intrigue. The Ghost Writer shows Polanski in top form, even though he had to complete the final editing while under house arrest in Switzerland.