Ghost World

After graduating from High School, Enid and Rebecca are forced to face the real world. Enid is cynical, to say the least, and considers herself a 'counter-culture' rebel who hates the world of frauds and losers she is forced to live in. Consequently she finds it difficult to hold down a job.

One day, however, after having attempted to play a prank on a lonely, middle-aged loser called Seymour, Enid begins to get some focus in her life - albeit concerned with someone else. Feeling sorry for Seymour she becomes obsessed with him, resolving to at least help him find a date. Throughout though she fails to rise to the challenge of sorting her own life out!

I was a little cynical of this film before seeing it, if only because the original idea comes from a comic of the same name. However, the characters are very believable, honest, and engaging. The downbeat Seymour is played wonderfully by Steve Buscemi, and Thora Birch in her striking performance as Enid follows up her "American Beauty" role with another discontent but sympathetic misfit teen character.

Sure the story of an oddball teen has been done before, but this film really does stand apart from the rest as being innovative and genuinely interesting. The characters are especially fun to watch!

Sophie Robinson