Ghost World (USA; 111min.) directed by: Terry Zwigoff starring: Thora Birch; Scarlett Johansson; Steve Buscemi

Bob says: "It seems to me that this film is much too heavily reliant on marketing – some committee got together and decided which segment of the population they were going after, and how they were going to get them. They probably even got a few critics in their pocket to tell the world how “different” this thing is. There’s just much more strategy evident here than there is any particular world-view. Yes, we get the idea that America has become homogenized and commercialized, but we all got that ages ago, and what are we given as an alternative to all this? Not a lot. Enid, who rails against it, is lost. One gets the idea that she’d probably be happier fitting in. Seymour knows exactly who he is, and for the most part, he’s pretty miserable. So is Enid’s idea of fun, lashing out at the world, just the desperate act of a sad little girl who wishes she were Britney Spears? Come on. There’s some decent material here, but it looks like somebody made the decision to cash in on it instead of really exploring it, and then to remind us all that happiness requires conformity. Yeesh. We get the same messages from Sprite commercials. " There are a few nice little touches though: the sponsorship of the high school graduation, that great “Jaan Pehachaan Ho” song at the beginning (and Seymour’s records), and I actually liked the end – it was the first moment in the film that raised any legitimate questions. What does it mean for Enid to ride off on a bus that isn’t even supposed to be running? Is it just that she saw the man who’d been waiting for the bus as the only thing on which she could rely, and then found out that she was even wrong about that? Is it the escape she spoke of earlier, or her admission of defeat?"

Clinton says: "I for one loved GHOST WORLD'S portrayal of a sort-of artistic misanthropy. As a fan of the original comic, perhaps I understood a little better where it all came from. I think this is a tale of people who don't fit in, not only because they aren't 'popular' or 'uncool', but simply because, however hard they might try, they just can't. It's not who they are. Seymour and Enid are like that, and that's why the rest of the world is homogenized and hard to handle. I think that Seymour's line about 'give them a pair of Nikes and they're happy' hits that point home. "The film isn't making fun of American attitudes (esp. consumerism and general LCD [lowest common denominator] tastes), as much as expressing the pain and annoyance of those who simply cannot conform to that no matter how they try. This film seems like the farthest thing from being made by committee that we are likely to see - especially concerning being a teenager. No Freddy Prinze Jr. film could ever be nearly as honest about how self-aware, confused, unfocused, and yes, sometimes incredibly stupid being a teenage can be. And all that without a pop-song stuffed soundtrack, a "kooky" sidekick buddy, or a love story (except Seymour - which isn't exactly a love story, but more of a "two people trying desperately to connect with anyone they can" story), but instead with the type of stream-of-consciouness teenage dialogue that young people really use, and a bunch of old 78s. I actually am amazed that the film came out the way it did."

Diane says: "I didn't really like GHOST WORLD, mainly because I didn't cotton to the Thora Birch character. How annoying that she was trying to make everyone's life as miserable as hers. I guess that isn't a valid reason not to like a movie, but there you have it: that was my reaction. She accurately portrayed an adolescent who doesn't fit in and therefore goes to extremes to show that she doesn't want to. I disagree about the dialog: I thought much of it didn't transfer well from the graphic novel--it seemed flat and self-evident. However, I did love Steve Buscemi--always do--and many of the smaller acting turns: Bob Balaban, Illeana Douglas, Teri Garr... When you go, don't forget to stay for the out-take after the credits. Bet you'll leave this film singing "Jaan Pehechaan Ho"!"

Emily says: "I was left cold by this movie save for some of Steve Buscemi's moments. It seemed directionless and in many ways pointless to me. A lot of people enjoy movies for this kind of discomfort, as if the mere discomfort, compared to Hollywood films, makes it art. I don't buy it. Sometimes, these movies are just....bad."

Laura says: "the much discussed GHOST WORLD features great dialog, a cool retro look and terrific performances from Thora Birch and Steve Buscemi, although the film's ending trails off into the ether." For Laura's complete review: "http://www.reelingreviews.com/ghostworld.htm"

Michael says: "GHOST WORLD was a thoughtful, well-plotted look at the difficult transition from adolescent rebellion to a more "acceptable" adult role. Thora Birch plays Enid, and Scarlett Johansson plays Rebecca in this amusing adaption of Daniel Clowes' comic book. As the two counter-culture heroines graduate high school, they are faced with the none too daunting task of entering adulthood. "The focus of the story is on Enid, who can't see the point of "growing up" and even after she tries, only manages to make things worse for herself and those close to her. It is Rebecca who finds the path to a more responsible life without sacrificing her quirky personality and disaffected humor. "Things get a little shaky at the end as director Zwigoff seems to have trouble getting to the point where he wants to end his film. Ultimately, Enid triumphs and is able to leave her "ghost world" behind her and start the journey to her true life. "Birch handles the difficult Enid wonderfully. Her physical presence is so refreshing in comparison to the usual anorexic young starlets of Hollywood, and only made more awkward by the tight clothes and large boots she wears. Johansson is terrific with the more subtle character arc Rebecca follows. Coupled with her wonderful performance in MANNY & LO, Johansson could be a good candidate for next year's Gertrudis Award. Supporting turns by Steve Buscemi, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis and a cameo by Terri Garr are all terrific." 4 cats

Nathaniel says: "I didn't really go for GHOST WORLD. I had read some raves about it. Time Out New York said "it will haunt you for years to come" or something like that... from the usually respectable pen of Mike D'Angelo. I don't know. I didn't take to it at all. The only time it lit up for me as a viewer was in the art class scenes. I found the class to be really perceptive about what goes on in such environments. (I have a BFA so been through that repeatedly. The secret to all "A"s... do as the teacher does .) My main problem with the film other than its obviousness would probably be Thora Birch's work. I've hated her since her days as an extraordinarily overacting child star and though I do think she's improving I don't think she was particularly good here. I feel like I'm missing something because critics seem to think she's Gods gift to adolescence. (That would be Christina Ricci Claire Danes Kirsten Dunst -all of whom are leaving adolescence behind or have already) I'm not going to claim that Enid isn't a memorable character but it seems to me that's all in the script and costuming. I didn't feel like Thora was adding anything memorable to it. She was the best she's ever been but I think for the film to really fly (difficult specific subject matter and all) it needed a really transcendent central actor. Scarlett Johansson was much stronger. Her character was less aggressively wierd and her arc more subtle. Harder to pull off but she did just fine. Overall I found moments to enjoy but I don't understand the raves. There were funny moments and best of all, most of the supporting performances were well observed or even outstanding (Is Bob Balaban capable of being anything less than brilliant in anything -I think not!) but I can't say that I would recommend the film.

Robin says: "GHOST WORLD is a true teen movie, not just for girls. The angst, confusion and growing pains depicted are not aimed at one sex or the other and has a lot to say for both." For Robin's complete review: "http://www.reelingreviews.com/ghostworld.htm"

Scot says: "I, personally, was delighted that the dry, cruel, 'alienated teen' humor was pretty unfunny in this film. I was pretty scared going in, thinking the humor was going to be the focus of the story. I felt that the trailer was, to quote Bob, 'heavily reliant on marketing - some committee got together and decided which segment of the population they were going after.' But the film itself... I found it refreshingly mature and fair to all its very human characters. "It's true that the central characters probably don't have the option of 'fitting in' with the Nike crowd, but if they are miserable, it is their own fault. Rebecca and Seymour learn early on that not everyone who listens to Ashford & Simpson or even enjoys mainstream movies (yikes!) is stupid, ignorant, or unworthy of contact. Enid resists this possibility all summer, holding fast to the idea that 'we freaks must stick together.' It's only when she goes through some painful experiences and hurts Seymour in the process that she sees her isolation was self-imposed and can muster up the courage to hop a bus out of Ghost World.