Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Bertram Pincus, a cranky, people-hating Manhattan dentist, develops the unwelcome ability to see dead people. Really annoying dead people. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy, a smooth-talking ghost, who pesters him into a romantic scheme involving his widow Gwen. They are soon entangled in a hilarious predicament between the now and the hereafter!
Ghost Town is a pleasant, well-performed romantic comedy-fantasy with Ricky Gervais delivering a genuinely sharp comedic performance anchored by strong support from Greg Kinnear and Téa Leoni. The acting elevates what is essentially a familiar premise — misanthropic protagonist gains supernatural ability, reluctantly helps others, finds love — that borrows heavily from the ghost-comedy and romantic comedy playbooks without adding much new. Cinematography is functional NYC location work, competent but unremarkable. The ending leans into sentimentality in a fairly predictable way. A charming, above-average studio comedy held up primarily by its cast rather than any distinctive craft or originality.