Olivia Williams in THE GHOST WRITER

Olivia Williams was stunning in Polanksi’s THE GHOST WRITER. Nothing she’d done in the past prepared me for her brilliant performace. She was a politico Lady MacBeth (or is that redundant?)

Thoughts?

She may have been the only person who was actually into the film. Everyone else just seemed a mess. Besides Eli Wallach. He’s always great even for just a few seconds.

I like Olivia Williams. I thought she did a real nice job in Rushmore. I think I may even be a fan?

She was a politico Lady MacBeth

Woah, let’s not go overboard here. She’s a decent enough actress, but that’s just rediculous. You’re comparing a role that has managed to survive the wraths of time with a cheap thriller character. De la fausse-monnaie!

I think the movie was alright, but gained far too much publicity given it’s a Polansky movie. I honestly didn’t care for it at all.

I agree Jaspar… she was awesome in the flick. I really dug her last year in An Education too. For a while I was worried that she would disappear of the radar and start appearing in lame BBC television productions. I’m glad some directors still have an eye for her talent. I’ve hard a crush on her since The Postman. Yes… I said it!

She was very good, and Kim Cattrall was surprisingly good as well. I could live in a world where either was nominate for Best Supporting Actress

I’ll see this one for myself, but let’s just say they don’t make Hollywood actresses like Faye Dunaway anymore, who of course starred in the Roman Polanski-Robert Towne film “Chinatown” (1975).

Actually, Anonymouse, I find the Lady Macbeth comparison apt. Maybe not literally, but her machinations and persuasion certain invite comparison.

Williams’ role was by far the best part of that movie, that and the house the action takes place in. In fact, the two fit each other, very well, and I’m going to have to fully admit that this is just me (no maybe about this), but powerful women in dark modernist architecture more than compels me. Both sides being part and parcel of the moody atmosphere Polanski was creating, I think part of the reason why other characters didn’t fit in so well is simply because they were all in her domain. However, when it comes down to the acting, McGregor is too chipper for his own good and the others didn’t have as much to work with as Williams did with a whole set and art design to support her character.

—PolarisDiB

I could live in a world where Eli Wallach gets the Supporting Actress nomination.

Awards aside, she was dynamite…and sure, my Lady MacBeth compare may have been a bit hyperbolic.

Hey there, I just saw “Ghost Writer”, starring Ewan McGregor, prior to “Daybreakers” on a double bill at the Astor (two films for 14 dollars). Olivia Williams was very good, but I wouldn’t wet myself over her performance. I think Pierce Brosnan outshined her, to be honest. As for Eli Wallach, I didn’t recognise him at first, but when I did…wow, his presence is extremely welcome! It’s great to see him still getting roles, no matter how small, in high quality cinema. Not just anyone has his presence and ability. “Ghost Writer” is an understated drama-mystery film and I did find it thoroughly engaging.

Olivia Williams is sensational in The Ghost Writer, she really wowed me. and she was playing a character around fifteen years older than herself.

Eli Wallach got his Lifetime Achievement Oscar earlier this year.

I can live in this world.