"Ghost World": Recommend or Not?
The assignment is simple (150 to 200 words). Would you or would you not recommend the film, Ghost World, to a friend? Give your reasons clearly and please refer to the events and characters in the film in your comment.
Official Ghost World Web Site (Production notes; original trailer; videos of filming; cast and crew lists)
Remember to bring me a copy of your blog post, on paper, to hand in on Wednesday.
20 comments:
What I recommend to my students I wholeheartedly recommend to my friends: the film, Ghost World. Enid is sometimes compared to Holden Caufield of The Catcher in the Rye. She, too, looks out on the world with a clear eye and better yet, a sharp but insightful tongue. Looking at the ingredient list of “buttery” toppings at my local store, I agree with Enid’s apt description of the popcorn topping as “yellow chemical sludge.” Seymour, too, makes the film worth viewing. I see his face as Enid “pretend” drops his rare 78 and then imagine Enid’s transparent phone ringing and Seymour’s voice, hurt and perplexed at her sudden change of heart. At The Sidewinder convenience store, Doug comes in, shirtless, for two packs of cigarettes and a fistful of beef jerky. The film is funny, sometimes, but uncomfortable, too, when we see the “ghost world” for what it is: a fake (and soulless) world where everything has a price, but nothing a value. And, because we care about Enid (in spite of her faults), we share her pain at not finding a place in this world, a world that, in many ways, mirrors our own.
In my opinion I would not recommend this movie to my friends because, I found it incompetent and absurd. The movie doesn’t really make any sense especially at the end. What is the meaning of her getting on the bus and going to god knows where? Enid’s character is weird and befuddled at times; she had me puzzled while watching the movie. Sometimes I get confused and lost in my life but, not to her extent. She was negative about everything around her, and her character is not someone I would want to be friends with. The part where they go off stalking old men was creepy and dangerous. As a teenage girl you tend to do foolish stuff (like prank calls), but stalking a stranger is a bit extreme. Don’t get me wrong, the movie wasn’t all that bad, there were some funny scenes, like the one where Doug walks into to the store topless, grabbing beef jerky saying “Hungry enough to chew the crotch out of a ragdoll.” Overall the movie was dull and meaningless.
I must admit: I watched the movie twice—once from last term and once again from this year. And the funniest part is, I didn’t understand the ending part where Enid, the protagonist, goes away to somewhere until now. But for the first time I finally understand why the protagonist, Enid, goes away somewhere immediately because she wants to, perhaps, escape from the real world, where people expect her to go somewhere after graduating from high school and, maybe, just maybe, she is tired of all the things what they expect her to do. Personally, I understand how Enid must have felt when she goes away like that at the end because when I recently decided to go back to high school to finish English 12 I pondered a lot whether to go back because my friends went back to their colleges for going to graduate school or finish their studies. But for I, went back to high school, I still think they will point a finger at me and even worse, sneer at me. So to sum up, I think this movie is a must see movie when people think like Enid, the protagonist, doesn’t know what to do with their lives and, perhaps after watching this film, people will find their ways out like Rebecca does.
-220 words.
Would I recommend the film “Ghost World” to a friend? That would depend on the friend. She would probably be a trendy, younger female that can appreciate quirky independent film. I, personally, thought the movie was ok - it had some good acting and funny parts - but it’s definitely not your typical formulaic blockbuster Hollywood movie. I think this film would be hard to digest for some people; however, it does have its moments and I can appreciate its cult film status. Steve Buscemi is great in his role as the lonely Seymour and Thora Birch as the surly, nerd loving Enid. Enid’s character is clearly trying to find out where she belongs in her post-high school life, eventually discovering that it can get complicated adjusting to young adulthood. I noticed that fashion had alot to do with Enids’ character. She keeps changing her style of dress from seventies punk rocker to trendy sophisticated young lady depending on whom she was trying to impress. My interpretation of strange old man Norman waiting for the bus that eventually comes, represents transition (transit) moving on in life - for Norman it probably meant that he boarded the bus to heaven - for Enid she decided to ride the bus to maturity.
– 208 words
I would recommend “Ghost World” to my friends if they are worried about their future because this movie speaks to this type of anxious feeling. Enid seems to be different from other people; I think she avoids being forced into any stereotypes such as liking hit songs or basic teenage fashion. She just wants to choose what she likes by herself. This movie is not a typical growing up story where everything is explained for audience. This is an unsolved confusing story, but we know that our real life is not always understandable so people reflect their lives and they can laugh at their own confusing lives with this movie. In the last scene, she takes a bus to somewhere. I love this ending because I am able to be confused with Enid so the director succeeds in leading our minds to synchronize with Enid’s confused thoughts of “where am I supposed to go?” The director doesn’t provide any clue for this question, but I think “no answer is the answer” because Enid hates putting a boring interpretation on anything (I remember her face in the art class). If my friends are unsure about the path to their future, I would tell them about this movie and say “don’t worry, it’s not only you that doesn’t fit in this world.”
-220 words
The movie “Ghost World,” was not so impressive and a far-fetched story for me, so I wouldn`t recommend it to my friends. I didn`t like the wired dance with not- so- charming dancers from the beginning. It prolonged quite a while as if it was an important matter on this movie. It was too plain and boring despite I considered this movie came out a decade ago. In addition the last scene, When Norman and Enid got on the mysterious bus, it made me think a lot; why they choose to ride and where its destination would be. However, it was an abrupt ending. In the other hand, I agree with Enid why she acted like unfit person and it reminded my early 20s when I was wondering what to do after graduating high school. Things were insecure and incomplete in every aspect as if I was walking on the foggy path. I never got satisfied in my domain and was looking for something else like Enid who was changing her style all the time to reflect her inner world.
184 words
The movie ghost world is something some of us can relate to or have experienced already. I know i have!
the scene where they walked out through those doors shortly after the grad ceremony; they didn't know what was about to hit them. I guess they worried a bit about how they will maintain the harsh reality of life outside of high school. Throughout the movie both Enid and Rebecca seemed lost and confused as to what they where going to do after highschool.
Enid plays a character that has low self esteem,careless and a personality that is bitter, blunt, critical and even outspoken whereas Rebecca is more naive mellow, laid-back and the most responsible one out of the two.
I was a bit confused by Enids manipulative behavior because she wanted attention and shows seymour that she truly cared about him but i think it was just lust!
overall the movie was great and i would recommend it to others.
i rate it a 3.5/5
I would certainly not recommend this movie to any one, I rarely recommend movies to my friends and if I would, it would definitely be something great and captivating.
I might sound a bit exaggerated, but the film Ghost World, should not be even mentioned in the same sentence with the words great. The film generates the recipe for a subpar movie: a fair intro, an arguably boring story and a random ending which makes you think when the credits roll in, what the heck just happened.
Looking into the mess that happened between Enid, Seymour and Dana, I was annoyed at Enid and Seymour for what they did to Dana. It was Enid’s encouragement to Seymour to make up with Dana, yet she herself made Seymour two-time Dana, resulting in Seymour dumping Dana for Enid. How despicable can they be?
The reason that made the ending random to me is why did Enid have to take that mysterious bus? I thought everything was going smooth for her; Seymour dumped his girlfriend for her; she started living with her best friend now. Yes, she mentioned that she wanted to disappear, but why when things are going in her favor? Imagine how this will affect Seymour, who broke up with the woman who possibly is his only chance of having a relationship with.
Enid is the most ignorant and irresponsible character in a film that I have seen thus far.
-239 words
Would I recommend this film, Ghost World? Well, it depends on my friend's point of view in watching films. This film was okay but not an interesting film as I see. There are many funny scenes in the film which makes it a bit lively but still it is boring through the whole film. Enid (Thora Birch) is a weird girl in the movie who doesn't know what to do with her life after she graduated from high school. She continuously changes her outfit to change her personalities meaning she don't care in her life. I also noticed throughout the story that it has many dialogues that includes "bad words" or "swearing" which is normal for most of us, but some may react to it badly and offensively. The last scene is an interesting part of the film. When th old man, Norman, waits on the bus stop where the "bus never comes" suddenly change at the end in which the bus came.Enid also waits and rides the bus for a new life in another world. Like in real world, we do have to make choices as we grow up and sometimes we need to let go of something to be able to move on
-205 words
I am afraid I would not recommend this film to my friends since there are many things quite difficult for me to understand. First of all, I am confused by the name------ Ghost World. Is the world filled with horrible ghosts? Or to some extent, the practical world is odd and awful? Second, I find it hard to understand the protagonist, Enid who is full of strange view of life. She telephoned to the man she found on paper just for fun. She followed Seymour out of curiosity. She even blamed on the manager when she lost her job. In my point of view, her such behavior is caused by her aimlessness and idleness. She doesn’t know what to do and how to deal with others. She concerns too much with her own thought and feeling, and never cares others’ perspectives. Third, I am embarrassed by the end of the film, Enid went on a bus and escaped the ghost world, can she find a new better world? I wonder. The world will never change unless she changes herself.
--179 words
I found “Ghost world” by Terry Zwigoff is an interesting movie. I would recommend this movie to some of my friends, whom will love this. First of all, movie starts with the Bollywood song (jaan pehchan ho,jina aasan ho) which gives the wonderful introduction of the movie. The meaning of the song is that “my life becomes easier if someone knows me in this world.” The movie is about teenagers who are worried about their future. Enid (protagonist) and Rebecca (teenager’s girls) after graduating from high school, they decide to get job and rent a house their own. However, Enid needs to attend Arts Summer School to graduate, but her isolated behavior makes everything hard. One day Enid met with a middle-age man Seymour—who has a big collection of very old records--changed her life. On the other hand, Rebecca gets a job and ready to move out by her self. In the movie, an old strange man who is waiting for the “not in service” bus, but finally he get the ride on the bus. Same as a strange old man, she decided to get a bus ride and find out another world which is “suitable” for her.
--200 words
Why is the movie entitled “Ghost World”? No sound hint! Is the theme of the movie actually linked with Enid’s estrangement from her friends and the society? Frankly speaking, I remain bewildered by the plot in full, from Enid’s weird behavior at the high-school graduation ceremony to her unusual twist at the unresolved ending of the movie. As for her light-minded manners, what disgusts me most is her repulsively drunken one night stand with Seymour, a middle-aged record collector. Her queasy action is absolutely inexplicable and it spoils her witty image in my heart. In addition, I have a head-scratching question about the puzzling scene at the”Not in Service” bus stop. A seemingly isolated old man, staring into space with a vacant expression, is eagerly waiting for a bus to come. In actual life, a bus is unlikely to come. Incredibly, a bus arrives one day and finally picks him up. Will the bus take him to his paradise? Who knows? Fascinated by her own witness, Enid takes the bus out of town, perhaps, to her dreamland. Personally, this movie arouses no echo in my heart although I’m clearly conscious that the great cross-cultural difference hinders my appreciation of it. That’s why I won’t recommend it to my friends despite of its popularity in America almost a decade ago.
-218 words
After watching “Ghost World” Directed by Terry Zwigoff for a second time, I would recommend it to my friends, as a coming of age story based around the loss of culture in western civilization, with some comical corks. The First time I watched the movie, being only twelve years old I wasn’t able to relate to Enid`s and Rebecca`s dilemma of trying to find their place in the world, and perhaps the more crucial dilemma for Enid, to find something authentic in a culture that is much of the same, totally surpassed me. Now that i have experienced post-secondary life first hand, and have insight on today’s modern civilization, I am able to appreciate the movie for the message it conveys, the good acting, and the negative yet realistic corky tone in which the movie is presented. The cast selection plays a part in how good the movie is, Steve Buscemi was sot out for the role of Seymour, Seymour being portrayed as sort of a loser, but only because he doesn’t try to fit in to what is considered to be the norm, makes a connection with Enid (played by Thora Birch) after she starts buying records from him. Both Birch and Buscemi play their roles perfectly as self proclaimed misfits, Seymour says he ``cant fit in with 99.9% of humanity,`` this is Enid`s and Seymour`s common ground,which most people at some time in their life could relate to. ---- 240
I wouldn’t recommend Ghost World to a friend, for this movie makes me feel sick and uncomfortable. Enid is probably one of the worst protagonists I have ever seen. She doesn’t appreciate the people who care about her. Once she nearly loses them, she starts to regret, but she doesn’t try to make up. She is also a contradictory character. She tries to help Seymour, a misfit like her, date with a woman; however, when Seymour falls in love with Dana, she steps in and causes them to break up. I can’t stand how selfish and jealous she is. There is an impressive scene showing Norman gets on a bus which shouldn’t exist. I’m so touched when I see his patience not in vain. On the other hand, I feel disappointed after Enid takes the same bus to an unknown place. It seems that she escapes from the reality. The reason why I use two different standards on judging her and Norman is their age difference. Norman has been fighting for so many years whereas Enid gives up so early. She is not even a qualified misfit. In order to prevent people from terrible role model, I wouldn’t recommend it. (200 words)
To me I found Ghost World to be very interesting. The movie is essentially about two teenagers, one eager to move out, the other meeting an older man and at face value it's easy to run it off as a movie about "nothing". I think that it's lack of climatic story line and the indie way of filming, acting and the environment through out the movie wouldn't interest a lot of my friends. The ideas are not appealing but with patience and no judgement to begin with, i'm sure a lot of my friends would be able to appreciate and even relate to the characters, Enid especially. Though her transformations and insecurities are slightly dramatic along with her need to completely start over, those are feelings i'm sure many can relate to. Overall it's followings of two strange teenagers after graduation wanting more out of life is admirable and reason enough to watch it.
154 words.
With the kind of friends I have, I would not recommend “Ghost World” as a relaxation movie. My friends would rather watch the “Clueless” movie because they can at least find a moral lesson. I hate to say I was bored. I even struggled to open my eyes widely from being sleepy because it’s a must to watch the movie. Enid was a very selfish person; she doesn’t care for those people who paid attention to her. Like her Dad, her best friend Rebecca, the art teacher, and her soon to be stepmother who tried her best to be nice to her. There was no moral lesson in the end of the story. She left the town leaving behind unsolved conflicts. For me it would make sense if she focuses to find some solutions in each struggle she encountered. That would make a good example to those teenagers who wants to watch the movie. In fact Enid’s behavior also occurs in real life situations, like some teenagers become wild after high school. The writer should have made an effort to resolve some issues regarding teenage behavior in the movie maybe it can lift up the quality of the story.
-200 words
From Wang:
Grown up under Confucian philosophies and educated in culture of East Asia, “Ghost World” means too much confusion and disagrees for me; I would not recommend the film to friends especially for the teenagers and adolescents.
To be an anti-social Jewish Girl, Enid shows diversified and contradictive characters in the film. She is social outcast and annoyed by someone talked with her only friend Rebecca without paid attention to her existing in the graduated celebration party. But ironically, Enid made her prank call to respond a lonely man named Seymour personnel AD and enjoyed his frustration and anguish after he realized he has been cheated. Enid was so confident to help Seymour to looking for date, but when Seymour starts relationship with Dana, who is the actually lady the Seymour wrote ad to looking for, she became jealous. She never thought she will have affair with Seymour, but after she lost her scholarship, she went back for Seymour and seduced him having one-night stand with her.
I also confused by the target of the audiences for this movie. From the course languages and the intimate scene, we may think the movie is for the adult but the story is about the high school graduated adolescents. What is the meaning of the name “Ghost World”?
I do not know anyone I would recommend the film “Ghost world”. After having watched it with my husband and a friend, none of us understood what was the main message, the title of the film, cultural background of the American high school graduates or the expectations placed on Rebecca and Enid. I could not relate to Enid’s dating game with Seymour as I went through a different educational system, were seeded within much stronger family and friend networks, in a less individualistic culture where someone would tell me off for playing with others for such long time. Consequently, Enid falls in for him and messes up her life as well as a few others. I feel sorry for Enid that she does not have a guiding friend and is left to her own devices. Although she is a bright girl who is brave to tell her opinion, even in her job at a cinema, this honesty does not fit in with the culture she is part of. In our small group, we did not understand the end, which could have been just an escape of all the mess Enid had caused.
Watching the film “Ghost World” is momentous even though it might have different notions and invite critical opinions of others. It seems ridiculous through careless characters’ actions, but it is mostly about being assertive and being distraught at the end with regret. Enid is like a ship in the middle of the ocean without a helm to reach her destination; she was avoids Todd’s question about her plans in the party, which aggravated and agonized her even more. Although the film handled difficult issues by criticizing our social acts and tough moments, it was mingled with comedy, too. At the convenience store, Josh’s boss was swearing at Doug, “Fuck you,” but Doug replied, “You wish.” In addition, I was bewildered and puzzled by Norman, who was waiting for the bus at a redundant bus stop, but he made the film lively to contemplate. Rebecca was like an alarm reminding Enid of her responsibilities, especially when they were at the restaurant: “When you gonna get a job?” Therefore, I would recommend the film to my friends for an “Exploration of themselves,” in a merciless and mysterious world. I am sure they will grasp the meaning of it, and they will cling to their goal firmly to sip the nectar in their future.
I would not recommend the movie “Ghost World” to my friends. It is not that good movie at all , but it has different life experience . Enid, the protagonist, is strange and helpless. She is invisible to guys ( at least her age),and no longer seems to get along with her best friend Rebecca because she can’t keep a job and therefore can’t pay for rent and can’t move in with her . She started to have a relationship with Seymour, the middle aged loser , who collects vintage records , but not in very good condition . Enid finds the purpose to enter Seymour’s life ,and stuck with him for a little while . On the other hand , her friend Rebecca has a charming personalty . She has a permanent job at a coffee shop Starbucks .She likes Josh and started thinking about her future . At the end of the story , she left Rebecca and tried to go to the new world where Norm went the old man . In the story , he wants to go somewhere from the world and was waiting for bus for so long , she got into the same bus and looked for a new world . I felt sorry for Enid , the protagonist , and I would say that “Don’t lose your faith before destiny arrives” .
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