Have you ever taken a road trip with close friends only to find the destination paled in comparison to the journey itself? That is pretty much how the new political thriller from writer/director Roman Polanski felt. A solid cast with on screen chemistry that engages you and bonds you instantly. But a story that in the end has you shrugging your shoulders and thinking, "that's it? Ok, let's go home."

 Ewan McGregor plays The Ghost Writer who is hired to adapt the memoirs of a former British Prime minister, Adam Lang, (Pierce Brosnan) after the previous ghost dies from an apparent suicide. Locked away with the Lang family and their staff at a remote beach house with only four weeks to finish, The Ghost Writer begins to uncover truths and facts that put his life in danger. Add to this an allegation of war crimes against Lang and you get what is a not too shabby thriller with a taste of political intrigue.

 The film has a steady rhythm to it and enough witty dialogue that makes it part Hitchcock and part Woody Allen. Once you find the pacing you enjoy the film that much more. It is a serious story and the political intrigue is well placed and not over bearing. Yet McGregor's character is written in a way that allows him to have fun with the role. From the opening scene you are dropped right into the middle of the plot with very little set up. This helps propel the story forward and gets you to the meaty part quickly.

 This was a good role for Brosnan. His character is charming but with a hint of underlying deception. He looks good on camera but you still know he is a snake in the grass and not to be trusted. Tom Wilkinson who is one of the greatest dramatic actors working today has a small role as a Harvard professor but delivers one of the best scenes in the film. McGregor uses his soft spoken boyish ways to bring a naive and yet cheeky performance. Rounding off the cast is Olivia Williams as Lang's wife Ruth. She is brilliant and delivers the goods with strength and passion.

 The Ghost Writer is rated PG-13 for language, brief nudity/sexuality, some violence and a drug reference. It is intended for those 16 and up simply due to the essence of the pacing and film style. At times it progresses like a well directed stage play. The movements of the scenes and the lack of fluid segues give it that old school intrigue while the on screen banter makes it one you could easily watch blindfolded. Still, many will feel cheated once the whole thing is said and done. There is almost a ho-hum feel that makes you wonder if Polanski just got tired of writing it and ended where he was. For that reason it only gets 3.5 out of 5 ferry tickets. A decent film but, at no fault of the cast, forgettable none the less. So says Matt Mungle.