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Ghost World Details

2001 DVD Certificate 15.gif
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 12,634 members

Terry Zwigoff finally follows up his 1994 breakout success, CRUMB, with this infectious, insightful, and ultimately sad look at teenage angst and boredom in suburbia that recalls such films as WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE and RUSHMORE as well as MTV's excellent DARIA series. The screenplay, written by Zwigoff and Daniel Clowes, is .. Read more

Starring Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro
Director Terry Zwigoff
Genres Comedy, Drama

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Ghost World

Terry Zwigoff finally follows up his 1994 breakout success, CRUMB, with this infectious, insightful, and ultimately sad look at teenage angst and boredom in suburbia that recalls such films as WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE and RUSHMORE as well as MTV's excellent DARIA series. The screenplay, written by Zwigoff and Daniel Clowes, is based on Clowes's underground comic book, GHOST WORLD. Best friends Enid and Rebecca have graduated from high school, and now they need to figure out what comes next. Rebecca gets a menial job at a coffee shop and starts looking for an apartment, while Enid wallows in her miserable (Daria-like) worldview, in which all jobs are sellouts and nearly all people are creeps, geeks, and losers. But when she plays a practical joke on the biggest dud of them all, Seymour, a lonely man who lives only for his collection of classic 78s, her life gets turned upside as she finds herself needing him in ways she never thought possible. Thora Birch (Enid) and Steve Buscemi (Seymour) are nothing short of marvelous in their complex roles, and they receive ample support from Scarlet Johansson, Bob Balaban, Teri Garr, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, and the great David Cross. The excellent soundtrack includes songs by Skip James, Blueshammer, the Buzzcocks, Lionel Belasco, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, and Mohammed Rafi, among others. Note to Buscemi fans: There's a small bit at the end of the credits, so stick around.

Starring Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban
Director Terry Zwigoff
Studio ICON HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 50 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate 15.gif
Genres Comedy, Drama
Language English
Released DVD: 20 May 2002
Production year: 2001
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (2) of Ghost World

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Having achieved critical acclaim for his documentary Crumb about American underground artist Robert Crumb, director Terry Zwigoff continues his comic book connection with this celluloid interpretation of cartoonist Daniel Clowes's cult classic Ghost World. A scathing yet affectionate send-up of modern American culture, it traces the attempts of teenage misfit Enid (Thora Birch) and her more level-headed friend Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) to survive life after high school. Imparting quirkiness and intelligence to the generally dumbed-down genre of the teen movie, Zwigoff delivers a poignant but darkly comic overview of human behaviour as he homes in on a cast of oddballs and eccentrics pigeonholed by society's prejudices. Though hampered by occasional self-conscious kookiness, the sharp dialogue and endearing performances from the likes of Steve Buscemi prevent Ghost World from slipping into the category of disposable entertainment. However, for all its bite, Zwigoff's comedy won't appeal to many beyond the young and trendy.

    • Radio Times
  • 3 stars out of 4

    Witty, perceptive comedy of the confusions of adolescence, experiments in love, and the discovery of a wider world beyond the restrictions of suburbia.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of Ghost World

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  • 18 out of 18 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    A welcome, refreshing tale of two best friends coping with life after high school. Thora Birch is mesmerising as Enid, the main protagonist who pours scorn on fast food, contemporary music and those who don't make her grade. If you're tired of movies where good looking guys fall for perfect girls, usually followed by predictable third acts that pan out exactly the way you thought, then Ghost World gives you a fresh spin on that formula. Steve Buscemi is as great as ever as the geeky record collector while Bob Balaban is delightful as Enid's ineffectual dad. Good direction by Crumb's Terry Zwigoff makes this well worth renting.

      • dodger#1 from GOOLE
  • Most recent members' review of Ghost World

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  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Should be on the National Curriculum.

    Very funny, dark and acerbic rites of passage with fine performances throughout.

    Captures with great subtlety the complications and contradictions of growing up, figuring out who you are and hardest of all - knowing what to do about it.

      • AnotherNightIn from Merseyside
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Rating breakdown

12,634 Member ratings
  • 100
915
  • 90
1,022
  • 80
2,187
  • 70
2,256
  • 60
2,367
  • 50
1,403
  • 40
1,018
  • 30
672
  • 20
537
  • 10
257

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    • Terry Zwigoff finally follows up his 1994 breakout success, CRUMB, with this infectious, insightful, and ultimately sad look at teenage angst and boredom in suburbia that recalls such films as ...