Terry Zwigoff's adaptation of the popular comic Ghost World is the perfect back-to-school movie. It takes place during the summer before Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) enter their first of college as roommates. Navigating the ups and downs of an adult life neither is prepared for is hard enough, but added into the mix is lonely record collector Seymour (Steve Buscemi), who complicates things further when an innocent prank takes a turn for the depressing. Self-deprecating, funny, and a little dark, Ghost World is for anyone who regularly feels disgusted or confused by the idea of growing up and maturing.
Although the phrase 'comic book adaptation' may evoke graphic images in Zack Snyder's style, Ghost World could not be more different. Its charm is a subtle one, brought to light with relatable misanthropy. To be quite honest, there isn't much in the way of plot, but the writing and actors see to it that there is never a dull moment. Although notoriously known as "the movie where Scarlett Johansson got hot", she delivers, showing the difficulties of growing within a close-knit relationship. Then there's Steve Buscemi's most lovable character to date. He's so endearingly pathetic. Finally, Thora Birch is no longer the introverted plain-jane from American Beauty (though her contempt for humanity remains) as Enid, a girl we nearly wish had been our spiritual guide in high school. It's too easy to liken this movie to Rushmore with a female protagonist, but nevertheless it's strikingly original in a way that elevates it from the mess of coming-of-age movies that flood the summer box office.
Although the phrase 'comic book adaptation' may evoke graphic images in Zack Snyder's style, Ghost World could not be more different. Its charm is a subtle one, brought to light with relatable misanthropy. To be quite honest, there isn't much in the way of plot, but the writing and actors see to it that there is never a dull moment. Although notoriously known as "the movie where Scarlett Johansson got hot", she delivers, showing the difficulties of growing within a close-knit relationship. Then there's Steve Buscemi's most lovable character to date. He's so endearingly pathetic. Finally, Thora Birch is no longer the introverted plain-jane from American Beauty (though her contempt for humanity remains) as Enid, a girl we nearly wish had been our spiritual guide in high school. It's too easy to liken this movie to Rushmore with a female protagonist, but nevertheless it's strikingly original in a way that elevates it from the mess of coming-of-age movies that flood the summer box office.