Ricky Gervais in Ghost Town
An Extra Steps Out of The Office for a Leading Role
By: Charles Giuliano - Oct 02, 2008
Ghost Town
Directed by David Koepp; Starring Ricky Gervais (Bertram Pincus), Greg Kinnear (Frank Herlihy), Tea Leoni (Gwen Herlihy), Aasif Mandvi (Associate of Dr. Pincus), Billy Campbell (Gwen's love interest).
Let's state at once that Ricky Gervais, the British actor and writer (Born June 25, 1961) is a comic genius. His two hit series for BBC "The Office" and "Extras" were truly unique and remarkable creations. While "The Office" was reconfigured as an American TV series starring the brilliant Steve Carell, "Extras" was presented by HBO.
There was an amusing bit between Gervais and Carell during the recent Emmy Awards. They played it absolutely straight to the point that the audience began to squirm. Apparently, in view of his absence at a prior Emmy awards ceremony, Carell accepted a statuette in the absence of Gervais. From the podium, in that typically sardonic and self absorbed manner for which he is famous, in a testy tone, Gervais demanded that Carell give back the trophy. Carell deadpanned as the audience nervously giggled not knowing if this was an actual face off. Eventually, Gervais descended into the audience and approached Carell in a menacing manner. Reaching under his seat he grabbed the object and handed Gervais his Emmy. Now that the gag was fully realized the audience roared with approval. It was typically spot on Gervais humor and one of the best moments of a long evening.
It took some time to get into Gervais (Andy Millman), the pasty faced, numbingly ordinary, wannabe actor of "Extras." The humor of his abusive relationship with the dimwitted gal pal, Maggie (Ashley Jensen), and his inept, gonzo manager (and real life collaborator) Stephen Merchant, was initially just too over the top. British comedy is often a real challenge for an American audience. Gradually, our feelings turned against Andy, the sarcastic, struggling actor, when he finally landed a hit role in a slapstick situation comedy. Fame turned him into a self absorbed, nasty bastard; particularly to friends like the still struggling, daffy but lovable Maggie.
During the run of "Extras" there was a remarkable range of developments in the character of Andy, from down on his luck underdog, to an arrogant and mean TV star. There was also wonderfully complex writing in how a plain and ordinary bloke let fame go to his head and its hurtful impact on the old pals he leaves behind. We also identified with his ambitions to be a real actor and not just the one dimensional, farcical fool who earned him infamy and fortune. In one stunning episode Andy berated a live audience. It was incredibly gutsy writing for a comedy series. Yet again it was the perceived fool who was indeed the wise man. But at the self destructing cost of his fleeting career. It was amazingly rare and insightful particulary for TV.
Having created such memorable roles in television, as an artist, Gervais walked away from hits he might have milked for years. He opted for a final episode of "Extras" which was as dark as the fade to black in "The Sopranos" and as frustrating to loyal fans as the send off of "Seinfeld."
Although Gervais has appeared in several films "Ghost Town" is his first starring role. While there are wonderful moments and a heart warming ending this is, at best, a so so movie. See it if you are a fan or wait for a better opportunity.
The plot is just too over the top. Greg Kinnear (Frank Herlihy) a cad and philandering husband has narrowly escaped being flattened by an air conditioner falling out of a New York apartment window. In stepping back to avoid this disaster, he breathes a sigh of relief, only to be smacked by a bus and killed instantly. Still wearing his tuxedo he is now a ghost with unfinished business to clear up with his widow, Gwen (Tea Leoni), an Egyptologist. After Frank's death she has learned of his infidelity and he seeks to beg her forgiveness.
Checking in for a colonoscopy Gervais (Dr. Bertrand Pincus), a misanthropic dentist, fearing discomfort has demanded full anesthesia. He is informed of the risks and signs all of the releases. In an encounter with Herlihy's ghost it appears that Bertrand can see not only Frank but all the other ghosts that spook Manhattan. They all haunt and prevail on him to help them with the unfinished business that has turned them into restless shades. In absurd footage they chase him through Central Park. But it is the clever and smarmy Frank who has his ear.
During his "procedure," because of the anesthesia, it seems that for several minutes he was clinically dead. Having crossed over to the other side, however briefly, grants him the tormenting ability to see all those ghosts.
Dr. Pincus is a really nasty character. This approach is so central to all of the comic roles by Gervais that we come to wonder about his real life personality. To what extent is he really acting? But this is precisely his genius as we never really know. Perhaps, off screen, he is actually kind to children and animals. Or perhaps he really is the jerk we always see him portray.
Bertrand has been particularly nasty to a neighbor who just happens to be Frank's widow. In the elevator he deliberately closed the door while she tried to step on with her arms full of packages. On another occasion, in the rain, he stole her cab. Now it appears that to get Frank to disappear he is lured into persuading Gwen to reconsider her love interest (Billy Campbell). Even though he is dead and cheated on her Frank is concerned for her best interests. He is truly better dead than he was alive. If only Bertrand will play along.
When Dr. Pincus inserts himself into Gwen's life there is tough resistance. But Frank, who knows her weak spots, feeds him the right lines. Slowly she is won over. Until she confronts Bertrand about knowing so many intimate details of her life and relationship with Frank. He fesses up to the ghost bit. When Gwen asks for a detail that would prove that, Frank, for complex reasons, or to keep the suspense rolling for another twenty minutes, gives him the wrong story. She is infuriated and calls Bertrand a pervert and worse for preying on a grieving widow.
All is lost, but not really. Bertrand, the misanthrope and misogynist, my goodness, has fallen in love. Which, of course, prevails. They live happily ever after. The couple that flosses together stays together. God bless you Tiny Tim. Oh well.