Dead people inject life into silver screen in 'Ghost Town'

    Despite what the ho-hum trailers and lack-luster display at the box office may have everyone thinking, "Ghost Town" is actually a wonderfully heart-warming comedy. The movie is not outrageously funny, nor overly sappy; it is simply what all films should strive to be — entertaining.
    Ricky Gervais's wry wit brings the bittersweet comedy "Ghost Town" to life. After starring in the British TV hits "The Office" and "Extras," producing hearty laughs as the supporting character Ferdy the Fence in "Stardust" (2007) and being the best part of Sunday night's Emmy Awards, Ricky Gervais now stars in his first American film. As he has done with most of his roles, Gervais is able to turn a truly unlikable and boorish character into a funny and loveable romantic lead. While Gervais definitely steals the show, the broad appeal of "Ghost Town" is aided by the bright performances of its supporting cast, including Greg Kinnear, Téa Leoni and the "Daily Show's" Aasif Mandvi.
    The severely anti-social Bertram Pincus (played by Gervais) goes out of his way to avoid engaging with his coworkers, knowing his neighbors, or talking to people in general. He lives his life as a detached ghost until a colonoscopy changes everything. During this routine medical procedure, Pincus' heart briefly stops for seven minutes. After waking up from his near death experience, Pincus becomes the eyes and ears to all the ghosts of Manhattan who wander in limbo between this life and the after-life. These ghosts are annoyingly pesky as they pursue Pincus with bizarre requests to be their liaison to the living. Most of them are desperately trying to tie off loose ends and clear up unfinished business.
    Pincus is not interested in associating with all of New York's ghosts. In fact, he does not care much for talking to living people either. As a dentist, he has the convenience of shutting his patients up by shoving cotton and cold instruments into their mouths. But these ghosts are not as easily silenced. The most persistent of these ghosts is Frank Herlihy (Kinnear). Herlihy promises Pincus that he will make all the ghosts disappear if Pincus agrees to prevent the re-marriage of his wife Gwen (Leoni) to Richard (Billy Campbell), a man he despises. Of course, Gwen just happens to live in Pincus's building.
    Awkwardness and hilarity ensue as Pincus is forced to come out of his anti-social shell in order to regain and restore his life of peaceful loneliness. In helping out the dead, however, Pincus slowly and predictably begins to come alive. In the end, Pincus's sour soul is thawed and reformed, producing an unexpected and charming romantic hero in the body of a rotund, snarky Brit. The film leaves Pincus with the valuable life lesson —that  only the dead can truly teach — of how to live again.
    The film pays homage to the screwball comedies of old, though its effect is questionable, depending on whether today's audience really appreciates or even remembers that era of film. Director David Koepp and screenwriter John Kamps also liberally apply references from an array of cinematic ghosts and plotlines, including "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946) and "Ghost" (1990). These kinds of cinematic allusions make one smile, instead of cringing at the lack of originality.
    There is something fresh about this particular ghost film, which prevents it from becoming another bargain-bin item, like "Over Her Dead Body" (2008) and "Just Like Heaven" (2005). This is Koepp's first attempt at directing a comedy, which may explain some of the film's weaker moments. Nevertheless, the film shines with its great cast and heartwarming story. "Ghost Town" is surely not an award contender, but it is a fun and endearing film that, if anything, will bring Gervais more popularity stateside.