OK...I'll just say it here. I think Ricky Gervais is effing funny! At the awards shows, even if those shows are totally boring, when he gets on stage, it becomes funny. He was funnier than Steve Carrell in the original The Office.
But---I was worried about him in a feature film. You know how it is, good TV actor ends up being horrible on film, ruins his career and never recovers. Well, I need not have worried, because he comes through very well in Ghost Town (2008).
He plays Bertram Pincus, a dentist who really REALLY does not like people. He has been known to give extra Novocaine, and big cotton balls to patients to just shut them up. He doesn't even like his colleagues. Bertram dies during a minor operation, and when he wakes up, he can see ghosts, and they can talk to him.
Poor Betram, all the ghosts follow him around trying to get them to fulfill their unfulfilled business, so they can rest in peace. But Bertram likes ghosts less than he likes the living. One ghost in particular haunts him, Frank, played by Greg Kinnear. he wants Bertram to look after his wife.
Gervais is really good in the film...he plays Bertram true to form all the way through. And his sardonic wit shines in this role. He knows how to hit a line in such an understated way (very British) that it becomes even funnier. He also knows how to let it go full force.
Tea Leoni also does a fine job as Franks's ex-wife, and Bertam's love interest.
Ghost Town wasn't a huge movie, and that was probably a good choice for Gervais. But it was very fun, and really easy to watch. Kinnear too, continues his film career with great roles. Can you believe he started on Talk Soup? the whole movie was high quality, funny with some touching moments. Excellent vehicle for Gervais, and excellent watching for us.
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