Abode of Evil The new work of Roman Polanski, made in the genre of a strong and famously twisted political thriller, full of intrigues and mysteries, demonstrates the well-trained hand of the master, drawing a new fascinating story in the corporate style, following the signature style and traditions. This is “the same Polanski” whom we love and adore so much, the film is saturated from and to its inherent manner of staging and storytelling, filled with expressiveness and depth, and most importantly – the multilayering of what is happening on the screen.
Powerful casting plays amazingly vivid images of the characters of the film, among which the secondary are remembered no worse than the main ones, and the main character is so involved in the search for truth that he pulls the viewer behind him, deep into history, tearing away from everyday life and personal problems. At the same time, the exciting plot is full of relevance, ranging from political themes of reality, ending with personal and eternal motives of deception, lies, manipulation and betrayal.
The main character receives an excellent high-paying offer to write the memoirs of a former British Prime Minister accused of illegally using torture on terrorist suspects. While in the United States, the former prime minister, played by Pierce Brosnan, seeks support among the US authorities, and the central character of Ewan McGregor goes to a remote mansion on the island, to the residence of the minister, to dig into the truth and finish his memoirs. Is it necessary to supplement the synopsis with the story that the predecessor of the main character, who almost completed these memoirs of the British Prime Minister, died under very mysterious circumstances, and the mansion in which the hero falls is a real abode of evil, full of hostility and isolation. A breeding ground of snakes, where one is lost in suspicion, and the mind is squeezed by an atmosphere of exile and alienation. And at first, the plot resembles the “Ninth Gate” in terms of the history of a man and a book, and at the same time “The Resident”, with the atmosphere reigning on the island. But the further the story goes, the more characteristic details acquire new features, woven into a logical and holistic history full of Hitchcockian motifs. Therefore, despite some common features, “Ghost” does not look like a collection of the best, but looks like a fresh independent work.
Speaking of freshness, with the modernity of the scene, the atmosphere of the film is similar to noir black and white paintings, although it does not give much to such neo-noir, holding on to the political thriller as a genre, very firmly clinging to it. However, certain elements now and then make references, both in the manner of presentation and in the disclosure of the plot. This move, perhaps, will add the number of fans to the film, satisfying different popular tastes. Among other things, the compositional work turned out to be simply divine, incredible beauty; various musical compositions accompany the narrative, efforts and deepening the reigning atmosphere, and just very organically decorating the video with their sound. Music to the film makes a separate plus, highlight and emphasize which you want to especially brightly!
The layered hearty cake that this film represents, with the simplicity of its plot, is full of drive and strong tension, and its degree increases with each new turn of events in which the main character is involved. And behind the simple intrigue of the news release, there is a whole set of incredible shocking endings, superimposed one on one and succeeding each other as the ending develops rapidly. The theme of power and responsibility, sweeping against the backdrop of the estrangement of the residence, is swept through many visual motifs that arise as the plot develops. Polanski also plays with weather conditions, making a variety of phenomena and scenes, and at the same time is not wasted on empty and unnecessary shots, no unnecessary shooting of the coast, flights over tree groves and the like, the director digs into the very essence of the plot, surrounding the entire environment with only important details.
A must-see delightful masterpiece of a true master of atmosphere and intrigue "Ghost" is a film that carries with its head into a journalistic investigation, the result of which is as important and interesting as the fascinating process of action and drive of the reigning tension. Polanski shot an excellent thriller, which is simply impossible to accept without applause, and the well-coordinated masterful play of the cast with stars of the first magnitude only confirm the high status of the work and serve as an extra reason to watch the film. And then to reconsider many, many times, since such a brilliant work of such a talent should forever remain in the heart of his admirers, and just fans of high-quality genre cinema.
9 out of 10
Original