Ghost Writer, written by Tom Gallagher, follows the isolated life of John Vandermark (played by Alan Cumming, who also acts as director), a lonely, somewhat depressed music teacher who often opens up his home to young male artists without a place to live or t he money to do so. Unfortunately, John has a dangerous tendency to grow unhealthily obsessed with these men; his suffocating feelings escalate to their highest peak over his latest ward, writer Sebastian St. Germain (Angel’s David Boreanaz).
What Happens When Charity is Revoked?
Frustrated over the fact that he has not seen Sebastian in days, yet has to deal with his $600 phone bill, among other piling costs, John decides that it’s time to end things with his young ward. The problem is that he’s become so infatuated with Sebastian that he is having a hard time finding the courage to do so.
Over a conversation with his friend and confidant, Eric (Henry Thomas), John begins to suspect Sebastian’s claims that he is, in fact, a writer. He hasn’t seen him for days; he’s never seen a manuscript; all Sebastian does is watch television. Eric and John look through Sebastian’s bag and conclude that he must be a male prostitute, based on his strange array of possessions and impressive collection of random phone numbers.
Everything crumbles at John’s feet when Sebastian stumbles home at 4:30 in the morning with a drunk and incredibly randy older woman (Karen Black). John can no longer keeps his anger and confusion pent up: he explodes at Sebastian, who reacts quite violently. What results is Sebastian being taken hostage by John in a psychological thrill ride.
Highly Theatrical Film Feels Made for the Stage
The entire film has a highly theatrical feel to it, right down to the design of John Vandermark’s Los Angeles home: instead of doors, he has red theatre curtains hanging in every doorway, which he is constantly throwing apart dramatically as he rustles about. Alan Cumming does an amazing job portraying a lonely, isolated man on the brink of insanity, and even throughout his violent and psychotic outbursts manages to hold the audience’s sympathy.
Boreanaz is also surprisingly convincing first as a confused victim, and then as a man acting out of violent desperation. He proves himself to be a versatile, talented actor, and even gets a few laughs out of the audience along the way.
From quizzes about Beckett and Kerouac to dramatic monologues about Verdi’s La Traviata to bodies in duffle bags and stolen book deals, Ghost Writer is a must see. It will appeal to book lovers, music lovers, theatre lovers, and movie lovers alike, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat. If it goes on a bit too long, you will forgive it out of appreciation for Cumming’s brilliant acting. And if you enjoy this film, try out Morvern Callar, starring Samantha Morton, which has a similar premise, but a very different approach to the story.
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