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Ghost Town is mainly notable for being Ricky Gervais' first leading role. Based on that fact alone many people will know whether or not they want to see it; the comedian has a substantial fanbase but some have inevitably been growing tired of his schtick. For those in the former category, Ghost Town should satisfy, and those would not call themselves Gervais' biggest fans may also find some sources of amusement here. Apparently the film offers have been flooding in for the co-creator and star of The Office and Extras, but he has rejected the majority of them deeming the scripts not up to snuff. Up to this point he has only been seen in cameos and bit parts in films such as Stardust and Night at the Museum. Based on how long it has taken Gervais to accept a leading role, then, it would be logical to assume that Ghost Town's script is a cracker. So is it?
The short answer is: not really. It's an entertaining fantasy rom-com that certainly has its charms but is utterly forgettable and insubstantial. However, that is not to say that it doesn't work. On the contrary, it's actually often very funny and engaging, particularly once it hits its stride after a slightly clunky set-up. The plot plays like a family comedy version of The Sixth Sense, with a main character, Gervais' improbably-named dentist Bertram Pinkus, who can see dead people (caused here by a mishap on the operating table, which led to his heart stopping for a bit less than seven minutes). He soon finds out that the ghosts he sees all have unfinished business in the real world, so before long he finds himself forced to help out Greg Kinnear's recently deceased Frank, who wants his widow Gwen (a very likeable Téa Leoni) to stop dating a new man.
Ghost Town is directed and co-written by David Koepp, the writer of many a major blockbuster from Jurassic Park to Spider-Man, so you might say that this is something of a change of pace for him. Despite his screenwriting credentials, though, the clear highlights of the film are where Gervais is allowed free reign to improvise - often the other actors seem to be naturally breaking up at his unexpected jokes. At first Gervais' character is the sort of grumpy social misfit that he would be expected to excel at playing (and does), but more surprising is that he's equally effective when showing a more friendly, less cynical side. In the later stages he even turns into an unlikely romantic interest, and to Gervais' and Koepp's credit, it seems plausible, fortunately never descending to the level of sentimental schmaltz so common in films like this.
The summary
Not a comedy classic, but in fairness Ghost Town never seems to have such lofty ambitions. Crucially, it succeeds at making you laugh, and isn't that the essential job of a comedy?
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