Ghost World (2001)

Director:

Terry Zwigoff

Writers (WGA):

Daniel Clowes (comic book)
Daniel Clowes (written by) ...

Release Date:

18 October 2001 (Germany)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Accentuate the negative.

Plot:

Enid and Rebecca are social outsiders who, after graduating from high school, play a mean prank on a middle-aged geek.

Plot Keywords:

High School | Friend | Graduation | Record Collector | Diner

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 24 wins & 27 nominations

Cast

Thora Birch	...	Enid
Scarlett Johansson	...	Rebecca
Steve Buscemi	...	Seymour
Brad Renfro	...	Josh
Illeana Douglas	...	Roberta Allsworth
Bob Balaban	...	Enid's Dad
Stacey Travis	...	Dana
Charles C. Stevenson Jr.	...	Norman
Dave Sheridan	...	Doug
Tom McGowan	...	Joe
Debra Azar	...	Melora
Brian George	...	Sidewinder Boss
Pat Healy	...	John Ellis
Rini Bell	...	Graduation Speaker
T.J. Thyne	...	Todd

Also Known As:

Fantasmata efiveias (Greece) [el]
Ghost World (Poland) [pl]
Ghost World (Spain) [es]
Ghost World (France) [fr]
Ghost World - Aprendendo a Viver (Brazil) [pt]
Ghost World - Mundo Fantasma (Portugal) [pt]
Mundo Cão (Brazil) (festival title) [pt]
Prízracný svet (Slovakia) [sk]
Prízracný svet (Czech Republic) [cs]

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA | UK | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:11 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #37596)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Advanced Medien

Trivia:

The male Satanist is played, uncredited, by production designer Edward T. McAvoy. He got the part at the last minute, based largely on his resemblance to Anton Levey, the director's first choice. He had to shave his head completely bald for the scene.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Enid rips open the wrapper of the champagne/sparkling wine there is no metal wire around the cork. There is always a metal wire (because of the pressure that is inside the bottle).

Quotes:

Rebecca: So, what do you do if you're a Satanist?
Enid: Sacrifice virgins and stuff.
Rebecca: I guess that lets us off the hook.

Movie Connections:

References Alien Autopsy: (Fact or Fiction?) (1995) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Let's Go Riding

Excellent Cult-Movie

Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) are best friends having difficulties in social attitude with other people. After graduating in high-school, they decide to get a job and rent a house of their own. However, Enid need to attend the Arts summer school to graduate and the unsociable behavior of Enid makes her lose her job. Meanwhile, they play a prank with Seymour (Steve Buscemi), a middle-age collector of long-plays record that feels also difficulties of relationship, and Seymour and Enid become friends. Along the days, Enid reaches maturity and a different view of life.

"Ghost World" is an excellent low-budget cult-movie nominated for Oscar in the category of Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published and awarded in another twenty-five (25) prizes plus twenty-four (24) nominations in different festivals. The caustic and mature adolescent-coming-to-age story is centered in the weird and rebel Enid facing and overcoming the need to join the real world after the high-school period, and is brilliantly directed by Terry Zwigoff, who also writes the wonderful screenplay with Daniel Clowes. The performance of Thora Birch, probably in her best role, also deserved a nomination to the Oscar. Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi and the supporting cast are also awesome. I really loved "Ghost World" a lot, and I would like to thank my great movie-lover friend Ricardo that recommended this gem. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Ghost World – Aprendendo a Viver" / a.k.a. "Mundo Cão" ("Ghost World – Leaning to Live" / "Dog's World")