Review of Ghost World (2001) by Lain G — 10 Mar 2013

Thora Birch is Enid, a girl who pretty much hates everyone and everything mainstream, but longs for human connection. She has built up a wall of sarcasm and condescension that she directs at what she perceives to be unoriginal, boring or stupid. The sad part is that she probably has a lot in common with those she denigrates, and pushing everyone away only proves her delusions, while reinforcing her sense of superiority.

Ghost World offers some good insights into social interaction, ostracism, and how we create our own perception and environment. Audience members will end up identifying with certain characters and loathing others. Sadly, a lot of the people who like this film will identify with Enid, but make no effort to examine themselves, simply seeing their outcast natures justified by the stupidity of the outside world, and not through fault of their own.