Rises above expectations, even though it never quite shatters the genre mould.
Ghost Town (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:171
Fresh:145
Rotten:26
Average Rating:6.9/10
Consensus: Ricky Gervais' consistently sharp performance and beautifully dry execution transform this otherwise mainstream comedy into an endearing, funny, and altogether snappy romantic comedy. With ghosts.
Rated: 12A [See Full Rating] for some strong language, sexual humor and drug references.
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:24-10-2008
Synopsis: Director and screenwriter David Koepp (STIR OF ECHOES, SECRET WINDOW) brings Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and Téa Leoni together for a romantic comedy with a twist of the supernatural. Dr. Bertram... Director and screenwriter David Koepp (STIR OF ECHOES, SECRET WINDOW) brings Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and Téa Leoni together for a romantic comedy with a twist of the supernatural. Dr. Bertram Pincus (Gervais) doesn't like people very much. In fact, the antisocial dentist does everything he can to avoid interaction with other human beings. Unfortunately, he gets more than he bargained for when he is released from the hospital after undergoing a standard procedure: he can see dead people, and they can see him. Suddenly, every ghost in New York City wants Pincus to help clean up their unfinished business. Dapper Frank (Kinnear) is the most persistent ghost, badgering Pincus to help keep his widow, Gwen (Leoni), from making a big mistake. Gervais is perfect as Pincus, whose deadpan expressions make obvious his disdain for people. His comic timing is spot on throughout the film. Kinnear makes Frank likable, not an easy feat since he apparently wasn't such an upstanding guy when he was alive and married to Leoni's Gwen. Aasif Mandvi appears as a dentist sharing Gervais's office, and Billy Campbell is Gwen's new love interest. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE star Kristen Wiig is a scene-stealer as Pincus's surgeon, particularly when she is trying to avoid telling her patient what went wrong during his procedure. Dana Ivey and Alan Ruck also appear as ghosts in need of help. [More]
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Billy Campbell
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni, Greg Kinnear, Billy Campbell, Kristen Wiig, Dana Ivey, Aasif Mandvi
Director: David Koepp
Director: David Koepp
Screenwriter: David Koepp, John Kamps
Producer: Gavin Polone
Composer: Geoff Zanelli
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Reviews for Ghost Town
Enjoyable as it is to see Gervais trying (and often succeeding) to make something of the mediocre dialogue, it’s not enough.
Ricky Gervais and mainstream Hollywood rom-com are initially uneasy bedfellows but ultimately, and largely due to co-star Téa Leoni, it's a match made in its star's brand of comic purgatory.
Ricky Gervais has carried off a proper, big Hollywood film; he may not be a natural, but he's done it without any hesitation or cultural cringe or apologetic foregrounding of his Britishness. He's cracked it.
And yet the film, while it gets so many of the smaller details right, including an ending that puts the corny closures of so many Hollywood romances to shame, never quite rings true.
Ultimately, it achieves that seemingly impossible task – a rom-com where the rom is sweet and poignant and the com is sophisticated and witty.
This is a schmaltzy romcom directed by blockbuster screenwriter David Koepp and held together by Ricky Gervais – an actor best known for cringy dancing arse boss David Brent.
It’s okay but it’s not half as funny as it should be and the film plays it way too safe.
Ghost Town really is one of those movies that reminds you just how life-affirming a night at the cinema can be.
Gervais is funny again. Maybe because this isn’t his script and his ad-libbing has been reined in.
It is so nearly a ghost-themed remake of Groundhog Day that you can’t help but think how much more interesting it would have been reworked by Harold Ramis with Bill Murray in the lead role.
A warm, clever and often very funny film. On this showing, Gervais's assault on Hollywood looks winnable.
This makes it certainly one of the best American comedies of the year. Belly laughs are hard to come by but the smiles are consistent throughout.
Ghost Town is a watchable comedy with several good laughs, but Gervais can't pull off a convincing nice guy act, so the emotional climax falls flat.
Just when the movie seems to be slipping into Hollywood maudlin mode, Gervais deftly tugs it away and into irony or absurdity. It's a relief he has survived Tinseltown sentimentalism.
[Makes] the best of its strong cast and attractive New York locations.
Ghost Town is funny and moves along briskly, fulfilling the two most important qualities of a romantic comedy.
This is a good romantic comedy, and that is a genre that often gets messed up. Here, the old formula comes out just right.
Latest News for Ghost Town
July 02, 2009:
The Couch Tomato: This Week's DVD and Blu-ray in Australia
More...
November 14, 2008:
Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 5
We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais finds a job for... More...
November 13, 2008:
Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 4
We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais discusses the... More...
November 12, 2008:
Ricky Gervais - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview - Chapter 3
We continue our series of extended interviews by spending an hour in the company of Britain's funniest man. With a new chapter every day this week, today Gervais discusses a... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 66% 66% | The Merry Gentleman |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Ghost Town at Rotten Tomatoes
- Ghost Town at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

