I remember the first time I watched 2001’s Ghost World” (Terry Zwigoff). Regretfully, I was painfully bored. I thought it was trying a little too hard to be “quirky.”–ironic given how unimpressed the two main characters are by just about everything. 

I’m happy to say that in giving this one a second chance, I had a very different experience. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. 

Based on the 1990s graphic novel, Ghost World tells the story of two best friends–Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson). Opening with their high school graduation, it’s pretty obvious that they are just so over everything. The school, their peers, their town. Snarky is their shared personality. This is not as admirable and cute as they may unconsciously think it is. They come across like self-righteous creeps.

This ookiness is only made worse when they play a prank on a man whose ad they find in the paper–a lost love connection type thing. (Remember, this movie was made in 2001.) Anyways, they pretend to be the woman he’d briefly met and set up a time for a “date.” The man, Seymour (Steve Buscemi), shows up to the diner, waiting for this woman to show up, while our favorite heroines crack jokes about him. 

Now don’t get me wrong, you almost lost me here. These characters just seem so damn unlikeable. 

However, Enid is tempted to meet him, and actually seems to feel some level of guilt. From here, she develops a friendship with Seymour, fixating on this relationship, while Rebecca follows the plan to get a job and look for apartments. 

It’s a pretty simple story, and an interesting look at the small cast of main characters. Oh-so-alternative Enid is actually quite endearing in trying to find herself. She’s pretty lost, and while her actions are at times frustrating, Thora Birch’s performance really made me feel for this character. I felt for Rebecca as well–she’s the one acting more responsibly, following through with her side of the plan the two had dreamed of for post-high school life. In the process, she appears to be losing a friend. And of course the great Steve Buscemi–perfect as the awkward, curmudgeonly Seymour. He’s kind of an Eeyore, and trying his best.

Enid and Seymour are the true standout pair here. They are a couple of misfits trying to fit together. They’re both sick of the world around them that they don’t understand, and watching their attempts to fit the mold is pretty relatable. I think we’ve all been there at some point. 

Ghost World
2001
dir. Terry Zwigoff
115 min.

Screens Friday, 7/19, 4pm & 9pm @ The Brattle
Double feature w/ Crumb
Part of the repertory series: Celebrate 50 Years of Million Year Picnic!