City of Ghosts was obviously a pet project for Matt Dillon, who starred in, directed, and co-wrote it. Given the setting, it's obvious to see how it could become a passionate issue, since it's difficult to un-know this type of information once you learn about it. As a political science major, I studied the horrors of international human trafficking, and City of Ghosts is unfortunately realistic. Granted, the film isn't about human trafficking, but while Matt wanders around the unsavory parts of town, he comes across many brothels that offer very young girls, showing that the filmmakers did their homework.
Matt stars as someone who has to leave America to track down his partner in an insurance scam, James Caan, to get his share of the money. While in Cambodia, he has trouble locating his "friend" and winds up in several dangerous situations. A street-savvy hotel manager, Gérard Depardieu, and a local, Kem Sereyvuth, who's nice with no reason to be, prove to be his allies, while Stellan Skarsgard and James Caan wind up hiding more than they're telling. Natascha McElhone is the love interest, and while she and Matt are very cute together, she isn't given very much to do besides flirt and look cute. Matt does the meat of the acting, which you'd expect since this movie is his baby. Ladies, if you love drooling over his pretty face, you'll want to see this movie, since his pretty face has quite a bit of screen time and quite a lot to do.
Gérard adds some edgy humor to the otherwise tense and creepy movie. When Matt checks into his dilapidated hotel, he complains about a monkey crawling around his room. Gérard hilariously chuckles, "No, there's no monkey in my hotel," giving the few audience members who remember his 1978 film Bye Bye Monkey a few laughs. When Matt puts his passport on the bar then asks for it back, Gérard gets the gleam of a swindler in his eye as he busies himself behind the bar and pretends not to know anything about it. Then, finally, "Oh, I thought you took it back." It's the sign of a seasoned actor who brings something new to each role, so even if you're renting this movie just for him, you'll be satisfied.
There is quite a bit of darkness to this movie, so be sure to have a strong stomach. It's not the most gruesome movie I've ever seen, but you will see some violence and a severed body part. Just a warning, but with Matt Dillon to look at, it's worth it, right?
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. There are some swirling camera movements while walking around in town, and the ransom video is filmed in a shaky, handheld camera that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Matt stars as someone who has to leave America to track down his partner in an insurance scam, James Caan, to get his share of the money. While in Cambodia, he has trouble locating his "friend" and winds up in several dangerous situations. A street-savvy hotel manager, Gérard Depardieu, and a local, Kem Sereyvuth, who's nice with no reason to be, prove to be his allies, while Stellan Skarsgard and James Caan wind up hiding more than they're telling. Natascha McElhone is the love interest, and while she and Matt are very cute together, she isn't given very much to do besides flirt and look cute. Matt does the meat of the acting, which you'd expect since this movie is his baby. Ladies, if you love drooling over his pretty face, you'll want to see this movie, since his pretty face has quite a bit of screen time and quite a lot to do.
Gérard adds some edgy humor to the otherwise tense and creepy movie. When Matt checks into his dilapidated hotel, he complains about a monkey crawling around his room. Gérard hilariously chuckles, "No, there's no monkey in my hotel," giving the few audience members who remember his 1978 film Bye Bye Monkey a few laughs. When Matt puts his passport on the bar then asks for it back, Gérard gets the gleam of a swindler in his eye as he busies himself behind the bar and pretends not to know anything about it. Then, finally, "Oh, I thought you took it back." It's the sign of a seasoned actor who brings something new to each role, so even if you're renting this movie just for him, you'll be satisfied.
There is quite a bit of darkness to this movie, so be sure to have a strong stomach. It's not the most gruesome movie I've ever seen, but you will see some violence and a severed body part. Just a warning, but with Matt Dillon to look at, it's worth it, right?
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. There are some swirling camera movements while walking around in town, and the ransom video is filmed in a shaky, handheld camera that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"