Not to be confused with the weak Nicolas Cage super hero opus, this politically charged espionage thriller The Ghost Writer was directed by the legendary Roman Polanski, a celebrated film maker who is known as much for his infamous involvement in a 70's statutory rape case as he is for his unforgettable films (i.e. Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown, The Pianist, etc.) The Ghost Writer is a terrific exercise in slow burn tension and features Ewan McGregor as a ghost writer (an individual responsible for doing anonymous re-writes on everything from novels to screenplays) brought in to re-work a British Prime Minister's ambitious, politically laced memoirs. While whipping the lengthy manuscript into shape, McGregor starts digging into a mysterious case involving the ghost writer who was working on the very same project shortly before he came on board.

Polanski is terrific at building suspense and his pure love of Hitchcock has shown throughout his career. In terms of style, Ghost Writer falls somewhere between Polanski's own Frantic and Death and the Maiden. While I enjoyed it, I'd be lying if I said the films pace isn't at times maddening. Still, this is a movie well worth checking out. If not for the solid performances by McGregor, Olivia Williams, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, and iconic veteran Eli Wallach, then for the moody atmosphere and an outstanding (if a tad cynical) final act. This won't be a movie for everyone and for those who felt Shutter Island was sluggish and meandering, you may want to stay home, but for viewers who don't mind a methodical pace and intellectual thrills, get to the theater and check out The Ghost Writer before it vanishes from your local multiplex.