"I can't relate to 99% of humanity." -SeymourJust over a decade has passed since Ghost World was released in theaters (October 2001) and on DVD (February 2002), but no one in mainstream media even said a thing. (Only these people in San Diego seemed to have noticed).
But, it's one of my favorite films. I've watched it so many times that my DVD copy is all messed up. As a matter of fact, the idea for this blog post came up because as I was searching for a new copy of the DVD online, I was hoping to find some kind of 10-year anniversary special edition, but no such thing has been made. It would be a real damn shame if future generations don't have access to this film.
For those who haven't seen the movie, Ghost World, (which was actually based on a graphic novel), is a movie about two young women, recently graduated from the high school, and the different paths their lives take as settle into adulthood. Rebecca (played by Scarlett Johansson) quickly gets the first job she find in order to help realize her dream of moving-in with her friend, Enid. But Enid (Thora Birch) just can't seem to fall into the mundane, 9-to-5, existence. Instead, she spends her summer befriending a much older man, Seymour (Steve Buscemi), who has problems relating to people and pretty much hates everything.
On the surface, Ghost World is a coming-of-age tale filled with lots of sarcastic--even dark--humor. But, below the surface, lies a story about how this consumerist culture has alienated a section of the population. As one reviewer on Amazon said: "Ghost World isn t for everyone. But it should be. It gives a window into the world of the disenchanted, those of us who walk the streets and feel ill at the sights of the conformist and soulless masses."
I encourage everyone to watch this film. For the first time--or the hundredth time--it is worth examining.
