6. Ghost World
Year of Release: 2001Director: Terry Zwigoff In a fangled way, this film also contrasts two worlds against each other. Two friends, both outsiders in terms of their high school; one wishes to move on with her life and indulge in a more materialistic world; the other, not so much. She sees the world through a rather pessimistic lens and yearns for a repressed past whilst at the same time repressing everything inside her that should feel natural to a girl her age. Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) are best friends who have just graduated from a high school full of conformists and jocks. Enid hates it and Rebecca goes along with her best friendjust because. However, a summer unfolds and a wedge drives apart the two friends as theyre forced to experience the real world. Rebecca embraces it but Enid continues to repress any possible future. This Peter Pan-tale is relatable in todays teen-angst world. Outside of school, people will lose contact, they will start new jobs, make new friends; they will move on. Its all part of growing up. As Rebecca moves on, Enid befriends Seymour (Steve Buscemi) because of the way he seems to epitomise an older generation, something that initially attracts Enid. When even he begins to show signs of moving on, she becomes reckless and makes some decisions that she regrets. All part of growing up. It's not easy for everybody and that's the point of these movies - Enid can either grow up and adapt into the new world with her friend or she can't; it's up to her to make that decision and it's one that she doesn't and ultimately can't make.
Edward Brereton
Contributor
Appreciates the finer things in life such as The Simpsons, yelling at the football, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, things that aren't True Blood, things that aren't Twilight. Doughnuts.
See more from
Edward