City Of Ghosts (2002) DVD Reviews

Starring	Matt Dillon, James Caan, Natascha McElhone, Gerard Depardieu
Director	Matt Dillon
Genres	Thriller

Critics' reviews (4) of City Of Ghosts
View all
Matt Dillon's directorial debut plays like a dark love letter to Cambodia. A slow-burning thriller, it's as beguiled by the country's seedy underbelly as it is by its natural beauty. In a story penned by Dillon with Lost Highway co-writer Barry Gifford, the actor also takes the lead as a conman who flees the US for Cambodia following an insurance scam. Here, passionately detailed visuals present a snapshot of an alien culture, populated by quirky characters who add colour to Dillon's hunt for his shadowy associate James Caan. Though these fleeting figures need more explanation, particularly love interest Natascha McElhone, they provide a surrealistic touch that lifts the tale's overall bleakness. Ultimately the picture lacks the complexity and pacing to really grip, but it's an admirable effort nonetheless.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Old-fashioned, sub-Hemingway, Hollywood tough-guy melodrama that exploits its exotic locations to add novelty to its generic situations and characters.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
One of the best movies this year.
- Boston Metro
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of City Of Ghosts
View all
14 out of 19 people found this review helpful

Plodding Thriller

This was a slow plodding thriller, very poorly directed. Matt Dillion should concentrate on his acting if this is anything to go by. There is no tension, no spark of activity even when some fast paced action is required, the film just stutters along at the same slow pace throughout.Set in Cambodia, the setting is at least atmospheric, but the acting is, at the best, workmanlike. The direction is not even that. Avoid.
- - Laurie from East Grinstead, England
  - Posted 08 Mar 2004 15:16
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

EXCELLENT

Unfortunately I have been to Cambodia, and this film really reminds me of just what it was like, the danger, the constant uncertainty and the strange beauty that surrounds the place. Great acting all round not just from the americans but also from Depardieu and Skarsgard who for me steals the film. It is a bit slow at times and it is a little bit predicatble, but it is always very well acted and directed. Give it a go!
- - BARRY NORMAN from THE BBC
  - Posted 25 Aug 2004 16:00
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Better on the outside

City of Ghosts is one of those films which looks great to watch, the direction is flawless and the sets and locations are used to maximum effect, especially when you realise Matt Dillon not only starred in this film, but also directed it.

However for all the excellent performances from the actors, plus fine detail in the film and attempts at a gritty portrayal of a poor country, I found the film lacked something.

The whole story never really gripped me, although the characters were good, I never really felt for any of them and could see how the story would unfold a mile off, predicting every “plot twist/surprise” coming.

All together not a bad film, I certainly didn’t feel cheated at losing an hour and a half of my life, I’ll definitely be looking out for any other films directed by Matt Dillon, as he seems to have a knack for directing nice looking films.

Lets hope the next one gets a story.
- - Majorjon from Hertfordshire
  - Posted 23 Dec 2004 10:37
Most recent members' reviews (2) of City Of Ghosts
View all
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Do you have a spare couple of hours?

Although not a great film, the casting is good, the locals are played well and restore your faith in humankind (at times), and the cinematography has some great landscape shots. This is why it is worth watching.

However, if you like you thrillers to be fast paced and make you want to work out the twists and not just wait for them to happen, this is not the film for you. It also does not show the best light on being an ex-patriate!
- - Alexandra Ennis from London, UK
  - Posted 02 Aug 2004 17:39
14 out of 19 people found this review helpful

Plodding Thriller

This was a slow plodding thriller, very poorly directed. Matt Dillion should concentrate on his acting if this is anything to go by. There is no tension, no spark of activity even when some fast paced action is required, the film just stutters along at the same slow pace throughout.Set in Cambodia, the setting is at least atmospheric, but the acting is, at the best, workmanlike. The direction is not even that. Avoid.
- - Laurie from East Grinstead, England
  - Posted 08 Mar 2004 15:16

14 out of 19 people found this review helpful

Plodding Thriller

This was a slow plodding thriller, very poorly directed. Matt Dillion should concentrate on his acting if this is anything to go by. There is no tension, no spark of activity even when some fast paced action is required, the film just stutters along at the same slow pace throughout.Set in Cambodia, the setting is at least atmospheric, but the acting is, at the best, workmanlike. The direction is not even that. Avoid.
- - Laurie from East Grinstead, England
  - Posted 08 Mar 2004 15:16
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

EXCELLENT

Unfortunately I have been to Cambodia, and this film really reminds me of just what it was like, the danger, the constant uncertainty and the strange beauty that surrounds the place. Great acting all round not just from the americans but also from Depardieu and Skarsgard who for me steals the film. It is a bit slow at times and it is a little bit predicatble, but it is always very well acted and directed. Give it a go!
- - BARRY NORMAN from THE BBC
  - Posted 25 Aug 2004 16:00
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Better on the outside

City of Ghosts is one of those films which looks great to watch, the direction is flawless and the sets and locations are used to maximum effect, especially when you realise Matt Dillon not only starred in this film, but also directed it.

However for all the excellent performances from the actors, plus fine detail in the film and attempts at a gritty portrayal of a poor country, I found the film lacked something.

The whole story never really gripped me, although the characters were good, I never really felt for any of them and could see how the story would unfold a mile off, predicting every “plot twist/surprise” coming.

All together not a bad film, I certainly didn’t feel cheated at losing an hour and a half of my life, I’ll definitely be looking out for any other films directed by Matt Dillon, as he seems to have a knack for directing nice looking films.

Lets hope the next one gets a story.
- - Majorjon from Hertfordshire
  - Posted 23 Dec 2004 10:37
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Average

All I can really say about this movie there is nothing new to be had. It's quite atmospheric and the acting is okay but overall It is a distinctly average film...
- - Dazjons from South Yorkshire
  - Posted 20 Dec 2005 12:05
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Do you have a spare couple of hours?

Although not a great film, the casting is good, the locals are played well and restore your faith in humankind (at times), and the cinematography has some great landscape shots. This is why it is worth watching.

However, if you like you thrillers to be fast paced and make you want to work out the twists and not just wait for them to happen, this is not the film for you. It also does not show the best light on being an ex-patriate!
- - Alexandra Ennis from London, UK
  - Posted 02 Aug 2004 17:39
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable

A lazy, laid back film, but still enjoyable.

Intersting to follow, with a different ending.

Not a new plot but well put over.
- - A customer from Telford
  - Posted 16 Aug 2004 19:41
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

review

doesnt have a good story line, could have been alot better.
- - A customer from london england
  - Posted 27 Apr 2005 09:47
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

pooooooooooor

a vehicle for dillons' ego. might as well have been shot in some hollywood back-lot; cambodia as a country is criminally underused. apparently dillon was inspired by his visit to the country- you would never have guessed............. payday for the rest of the cast.
- - Adam Park from Purgatory
  - Posted 12 May 2005 21:21
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Concentrate on the first 10 mins

It's not so crucial, but if you miss the first 10 mins of the film then you'll wonder what's happening during the rest of the film. At the start it all happens very quickly, and make sure you're completely settled down, with no distractions like kids, animals or getting a drink.

Good to have a different storyline.
- - Padd from London
  - Posted 05 Dec 2004 11:23
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Flawed but worth catching

Matt Dillon's feature film debut as a director sank without trace after its US debut but many worse films have received much better treatment. Granted the plot wanders but most of the cast are fine and the location shot photography of Cambodia provides a nice travelogue to keep interest afloat.

Not as good as THE QUIET AMERICAN, but it should appeal to a similar audience.
- - CLTW from Kent
  - Posted 23 Jun 2004 22:05

< Prev
1
2
3
4
Next >

Critics' reviews (4)
Matt Dillon's directorial debut plays like a dark love letter to Cambodia. A slow-burning thriller, it's as beguiled by the country's seedy underbelly as it is by its natural beauty. In a story penned by Dillon with Lost Highway co-writer Barry Gifford, the actor also takes the lead as a conman who flees the US for Cambodia following an insurance scam. Here, passionately detailed visuals present a snapshot of an alien culture, populated by quirky characters who add colour to Dillon's hunt for his shadowy associate James Caan. Though these fleeting figures need more explanation, particularly love interest Natascha McElhone, they provide a surrealistic touch that lifts the tale's overall bleakness. Ultimately the picture lacks the complexity and pacing to really grip, but it's an admirable effort nonetheless.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Old-fashioned, sub-Hemingway, Hollywood tough-guy melodrama that exploits its exotic locations to add novelty to its generic situations and characters.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
One of the best movies this year.
- Boston Metro
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Two thumbs up.
- Ebert And Roeper And The Movies
- Posted 11 Mar 2005