Ghost Writer (2007)

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Please don't spend money on this.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Since I'm on this Alan Cumming obsession, I've decided to watch as many films with him in it as I can. I found this one called "Suffering Man's Charity" or… "Ghost Writer". And I noticed that it had gotten quite a few bad reviews. I was a bit surprised by this. And I was even more surprised when I had finished the entire movie. I found this film to be quite phenomenal. It was dark, twisted, and it really had very interesting, and in-depth characters. Alan Cumming's performance was truly brilliant. I hadn't really seen him portray that sort of role before, and it was honestly amazing to see. He was vulnerable, and innocent in a way. But then with a blink of an eye, his personality was completely different. He could switch his emotions with such intensity, and it was believable. To actually be able to get into the mindset of that character, it must've been truly difficult. I take my non-existent hat off to Mr. Alan Cumming. The story of this film was well thought out, and it was really actually quite simple. But the simplicity, mixed with the performance of the actors, it really brought this movie to life in the darkest of ways. This film does not deserve the bad reviews it had gotten. I really do recommend this film.

...that seems more of a vanity project for director/star, Alan "X2" Cumming than anything else, and what a vanity project it is, or isn't, depending on your perspective. The script is from a noob screenwriter, and it's a step above many, though not nearly as clever as it might otherwise wish. It takes way too long to get down to business (Syd Field would not be pleased), and has a tendency to spoil its own mysteries. In a nutshell, Cumming overacts a martinet of a private music teacher with a weakness for "nurturing" various young talents, in this case a ladies man of a writer who ends up grifting him to the point of histrionic vengeance. It's not a pretty sight (in fact, it's laden with homosexual clichés, beginning with their love of opera, and not yet ending with a macho man in bra and panties), and does nothing to advance the situation or audience appreciation of its protagonist or anyone else within earshot. As mentioned, the acting (and this is mostly all Cumming's baby) verges on hysterically overdone (or in the case of the antagonist (David "Angel" Boreanaz), crushingly underplayed to the point of apparent boredom), although (for the most part) the various production elements are fairly well done, given the relative low budget. Minimal appearances by the likes of Henry "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" Thomas, Carrie "Star Wars" Fisher, Anne "Psycho" Heche (looking exceedingly pinched and drawn), and Karen "Easy Rider" Black (who utterly steals her scene as a foul-mouthed slut) cannot rescue this potboiler no matter the best of intentions.Strictly for Cumming fans, and even they will be, at best, bemused.

There is only one reason to see this film - David BOREANAZ! The plot seems typically reasonable, but writing or directing over the top should not impede a good play or movie. There is no need to act as though everyone is without morals or merit. A well-executed comedy should be able to reach everyone without using one expletive word. Seinfeld's comedy was always outrageous, but within the acceptable guidelines, and this is the kind of comedic writing that many new artists never understand. Without vulgarity or graphic violence, most writers have no idea how to entertain people anymore. David is always wonderful in whatever he does. He has timing, looks, charm, and savoir faire. Cummings, go back to Creative writing class 101 and this time, pay attention.

Saw this at the SF LGBT film festival and while Alan Cumming is wonderful and truly talented actor, he seems to be best with a director other than himself. This is a truly over the top movie and performance and it is entertaining but I felt there wasn't enough build up and character development before the insane behavior begins. Also the ending seemed tacked on and not really well connected to the main part of the film. the interaction between David and Alan are wonderful and the highlight of the film.Henry Thomas was a surprise in this scene and Karen Black stole her scene. I wish there had been more restraint in the editing, the performances and the script. It made me want to see Alan Cumming as a lead in film with a different director.