4 Stars:
I'll be honest, normally I would skip a movie like this, even with the stellar cast. For whatever reason I put "Ghost Town" in my Netflix queue and it showed up. I'm a fan of the Americanized "Office," but I couldn't get into the British version which starred Ricky Gervais. I did see a couple episodes of the British TV show called "Extras" which also starred Ricky Gervais and I liked that, but I really didn't know much more about Ricky Gervais. The real reason I put "Ghost Town" in my queue is because I've always heard about how funny Ricky Gervais is, so I wanted to see for myself.
"Ghost Town" stars Ricky Gervais as a Bertram Pincus, a dentist who hates interaction with people (look for a cameo from "The Daily Show's" Aasif Mandvi). Pincus is not a mean guy at heart, but he is so uncomfortable that he's actually quite rude when he attempts to avoid interaction. While going in for a routine colonoscopy, he asks to be put under. The doctor is played by SNL's Kristen Wiig, who is great in her small role. Pincus learns that he died for a few seconds and because of this, he "can see dead people."
Pincus meets up with Greg Kinnear's who plays Frank Herlihy, a character whom we quickly learn died while sneaking around on his wife Gwen, played by Tea Leoni. All the dead people are stuck on Earth until they can close the book on their life (just like in every movie with dead people who walk the Earth.) Frank convinces Pincus that in order for him to get out of limbo/purgatory, Pincus needs to stop his wife from marrying this other guy.
Pincus wants nothing to do with Frank or his dilemma. When Frank informs the rest of the ghosts that Pincus can see/help them they all appear in his apartment at one time. Pincus finally gives into Frank. Frank wants Pincus or Pink Ass as he calls him to find a guy to break up his wife's engagement. Pincus suggests that he be that guy. Frank finds this funny and unrealistic and goes with it. When Pincus finally goes up to meet Gwen, he learns that she lives in his apartment complex and that he's stolen her cab, closed the elevator door on her and other rude things.
It's at this point in the movie that Gervais shines. He is insanely funny. Greg Kinnear and Tea Leoni do a great job too, of bouncing off of Gervais, but Gervais is the star of the show. You take Ricky Gervais out of this movie and replace him with anybody else then I'd say that this movie sucks. I gave this movie 4 stars out of 5, but without Gervais, it would probably be 2 stars. I really can't believe how funny this movie is. Definitely check this one out.
BYLINE:
Bob Zerull is a frequent movie and concert goer who talks about his ventures to arenas and theaters more than any person should be allowed to do. Now, he puts them down on paper. Email him your thoughts at: bzerull19@gmail.com.
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