Movies like The Ghost Writer - The Ghost Writer (2010) Discussion

[–] projectcyclops 14 years ago

I'd highly recommend the British TV series, "House of Cards". It's got lots of political back-stabbing and shady goings on, and a terrific performance from Ian Richardson as the evil chief whip turned ruthless Tory PM. He's actually quite hilarious in it, equal parts menace and dark humour.

As for films with a similar vibe to "The Ghost", Polanski's own "Ninth Gate" is remarkably similar in it's tone, although it's altogether sillier (as reflected by it's relatively poor scoring on imdb/rottentomatoes), and deals with the supernatural rather than politics.

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He left a note. He left a simple little note that said "I've gone out the window."

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[–] cinephile333 14 years ago

Thanks for your help. I'll be sure to check out your suggestions!

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[–] jon_s_chan 13 years ago

Ninth Gate sure does have bad reviews here and on RT, but I think people should not rush to judgment based on these reviews. I think Ninth Gate is a great piece of work and I think some who haven't watched it could be surprised on how underrated it is. Overall a movie with polarizing opinions.

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[–] Therut 11 years ago

+1 to this comment. I think Ninth Gate is highly underrated.

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[–] oliver-177 14 years ago

You may enjoy BREACH. It is also a cool, gray an tense grownup ride with magnificent acting.

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[–] vlVlv 14 years ago

I agree...Breach is really good.

Syriana is also decent, but it's complicated. I have to watch it again.

The Good Sheppard could be another one. It's about the CIA.

And check out State of Play. Good movie!

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[–] oscarstegland 13 years ago

+1 for State of Play. An excellent political thriller with great acting and a superb script.

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[–] AsaNisiMasa_63 14 years ago

well as for solely political thrillers, pakula is the man for the job:

the parallax view
klute
all the president's men
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also, for the whole "conspiracy/paranoia" vibes, check out:

the conversation (severely underrated and excellent score)
blow out
body double
marathon man

lastly, even check out Polanski's earlier work; it's very apparent that Polanski uses the same sense of subjectivity and intrigue in all his thriller films:

The Ninth Gate (imo, a lot like tgw, but more supernatural oriented)
the tenant
chinatown

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[–] ruinunotuner 14 years ago

I would say the Bourne Trilogy, they are really great movies and a bit similar to this one.

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[–] Aaryk_Noctivagus 13 years ago

'Bourne'? It wouldn't be my suggestion for something similar to 'The Ghost' - too super-spy/superhero.

'House of Cards' although TV is an excellent suggestion as far as political intrigue is concerned, but also something quite different... though absolutely recommendable.

I'd suggest something like 'The Ipcress File' or 'Get Carter' perhaps - I wouldn't call them similar, but I think they go well with 'The Ghost's vibe. There is something quite cold war about 'The Ghost' which has been missing in cinema since the cold war became not so topical by finishing - that is its strike of brilliance, I cannot think of another recent film that has quite captured the cold war vibe without being about the cold war, though I understand a film adaptation of 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' is in production - which might be something to look out for. How about the excellent 'The Spy who came in from the Cold' starring Richard Burton for that matter? Perhaps 'Gorky Park' also with its tremendous James Horner score. For another Polanski, I'd suggest 'Frantic'. Perhaps 'Marathon Man' or 'The Boys from Brazil' could be of interest also.

I'd say the direction to look is certainly more towards Europe style political thrillers rather than American-style action thrillers.

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[–] goldenskies 13 years ago

I agree on State of Play, I've just seen the UK miniseries version and bought the US movie version to see how it compares.

But for the "look" of the movie, that is distinctly Polanski. I will get Ninth Gate because I was reminded while watching this just how gorgeous Polanski makes his movies. Every shot is like eye candy and he uses silence really well.

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[–] djrosenblatt 14 years ago

It's a very different type of film, but you might like "In the Loop" (2009). This film is actually considered a comedy, but perhaps black comedy best describes it, and it's certainly not of the ha ha laugh-a-minute type.

No one dies (as I recall), but it's all about political intrigue and manipulation. Very similar to TGW in the sense that it's largely about British-American relations at the time of the Iraq war.

Worth a watch.

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[–] Induna 14 years ago

I can think of a couple of films with a similar feel to this one. Both starring Michael Caine as the protagonist. The Whistle Blower (1987) and The Fourth Protocol (1987).

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[–] mister_cheech 14 years ago

"Cypher," "Deception" and "Michael Clayton" come to mind.

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[–] Eumenides_0 13 years ago

I don't understand why you can't stand political thrillers; they're some of the most exciting and intelligent movies ever made. I could recommend them all day long:

Z
State of Siege
Exquisite Corpses
All The President's Men
The Ear
Three Days of the Condor
The Devil Strikes at Midnight
JFK
The Conformist
We Still Kill The Other Way
Carlos

This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] jon_s_chan 13 years ago

If you want to get a perfectly similar feel you did when watching Ghost Writer, I suggest you must definitely watch "THE NINTH GATE" if you haven't already.

For starters it is a work by Roman Polanski. A very similar thriller that involves a multilayered storyline, a very curious/investigative protagonist and a grand finale at the end. This movie isn't a political thriller, but its a supernatural thriller. Very underrated in my opinion.

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