Ghost world

USA/Britain/Germany 2001

Dir: Terry Zwigoff

107 mins

Cast: Thora Birch, Steve Buscemi, Scarlett Johansson; based on Daniel Clowes' graphic novel Ghost world

Rating: M

... By sharp turns poignant, disturbing and hysterically funny, Ghost World explores the weird interstices between girlhood and adult life with an acuity unexpected from two middle-aged guys, let alone such proud oddballs as Crumb director Terry Zwigoff, making a wildly successful leap into featuredom, and artist-writer Daniel Clowes, on whose underground comics much of this is based. Alternative pedigree could help attract young auds of both sexes, and older viewers, if reached, will appreciate the pic’s measured tones and obvious love for vintage music, art and manners.

... Presence of indie stalwart Steve Buscemi, in one of his subtlest performances, will help, as will a star-making turn for former child star Thora Birch, who won a best actress award in Seattle after pic world-preemed there.

... Pic’s most obvious nod to non-superhero cartoon status is its complete disdain for fancy camerawork. Helmer favors large compositions and static two-shots, courtesy of Almodovar lenser Affonso Beato, that are nonetheless rich in heightened color and fascinating detail.

Zwigoff and Clowes did much of the set dressing themselves, and there is generous use of cartoons and paintings by R. Crumb and other members of the docu subject’s family. Non-initiates may find the mystically indeterminate ending baffling; fans will hope it signifies a sequel.

Ken Eisner, Variety

... Enid is played by Thora Birch, from American Beauty, and in a sense this character is a continuation of that one--she certainly looks at her father the same way, with disbelief and muted horror. Her running-mate is Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson). There's a couple like this in every high school: The smart outsider girls who are best friends for the purpose of standing back to back and fighting off the world. ...

The movie is based on an underground comic book by Daniel Clowes, who co-wrote the screenplay with Zwigoff. It listens carefully to how people talk. Illeana Douglas, for example, has a perfectly observed role as the art teacher of Enid's summer make-up class, who has fallen for political correctness hook, line and sinker, and praises art not for what it looks like but for what it "represents." There are also some nice moments from Teri Garr, who plays the take-charge girlfriend of Enid's father (Bob Balaban).

I wanted to hug this movie. It takes such a risky journey and never steps wrong. It creates specific, original, believable, lovable characters, and meanders with them through their inconsolable days, never losing its sense of humor. ...

Roger Ebert, RogerEbert.com