A hundred directors would have made a hundred different versions of Ghost World. No director could have made a more perfect adaptation than Terry Zwigoff. Enid Coleslaw had to be Thora Birch.
@@ItsGregKon Yeah. I was familiar with titles like Preacher and Fables, but had no idea comics could be like Ghost World. I went on to find so many fantastic artists.
Same here, it was on TV and i started watching it when I flicked onto it and it was the first scene with Norman. I was transfixed and couldn’t stop thinking about it afterwards. I ordered the DVD and that was it, massive fan. I didn’t even know it was based on a comic, so when i found out that was when I became a massive Dan Clowes fan I had never read comics like it. Rebecca and Enid’s relationship is brilliantly represented in the film while the film is quite different its also the same - Rebecca pulling away as she starts to engage in adult life, wanting a real relationship with Josh, a job, money and an apartment while Enid clings to her teen angst. Rebecca finds out the same people they like are actually annoying and dysfunctional when you are forced to engage with them on their terms rather than as observers. Brilliant
Okay so before I fall victim to being ironic like the characters in Ghost World, thank you so mich for the generous shoutout and awesome video!! This is easily one of my favourites that you have done!!!!!
One of my favourite films. I read everything I can find on Ghost World, happy that so much attention was given to it recently (20th anniversary and all). Nice job with the video - happy that you're Canadian to boot :)
Ghost World means so much to me. Just perfect for the time and place I grew up in and I even got to watch Daniel Clowes do panels at SDCC before it turned into a clusterf***.
same. Favorite book and film for me. I did get to meet him when he did a Q&A and book signing for Patience a few years ago, and also saw some of the filming of Wilson in my hometown.
I watched the movie a while ago and really liked it, especially the Seymour plot. I recently bought the comic and I also enjoyed it, but was left wondering why the movie took the story about the personal ad and expanded on it the way it did, and found this video. Good points on the characterization of Enid and what she was searching for in life, I've been left with a better understanding of both the comic and the film.
You know it "could" have been worse. Did you read the "sample script" in the book(the special edition)? it takes the stupid Seymour love triangle to the absolute ridiculousness. I'm glad it was "cut" from the final movie. Also, in the script Seymour get's fired from his job for allowing an old racist company marketing poster to fall into the hands of Enid who unwittingly enters it into an art show. Ridiculous. However, the worse thing about the movie/book contradiction is the stupid opening bollywood musical. Portraying the Enid Coleslaw is an eclectic international cultured teenager. No man. Enid is product of crappy step mothers and despises the materialism of her peers. Enid is fkn Punk Rock!!!
@@trexinvert I never read the comic but I thought the beginning scene of the Bollywood movie and her dancing the choreogher to it was more of self discovery or a phase. She even ask Seymore for any 60s Bollywood sound track before opening up to his interest of records.
Finally got around to watching this. Definitely not my style, but its good to watch something outside my wheelhouse once in a while. Meandering through life maybe felt a bit too dull and/or real for me, but I love the metaphor of Norman on the bench and how it ties into Enid's journey; also, I love me an ambiguous ending.
just watched this movie last night and i was so amazed by how unique it was i also didn’t see in the beginning that it was based on a comic so when you went into that i was so interested. i never thought about the black part in between comics and how u can see the past now and future. CRAZYYY i’ve read so much manga and never thought of that once
Great work. I felt that the film version tied together disparate elements from the comic book perfectly. I hadn't really thought about this film as a search for sincerity. I get now why I love it like I do haha it's something I think about everyday, the layers of irony artists hide behind in order to never reach their hearts and be sincere (I'm looking at you Bo Burnham). In fact, these thoughts are so seeped in me that I dream about it. One time I dreamt I was waiting for a train with a camera in my hand and Werner Herzog appeared, dressed as a homeless man. He said to me: Werner - "I have some advice for you...if you really, truly wish to terrify, you must show to your audience what it is that they truly truly fear" Me - "Like terrorism?" (Dumb response, conscious me wouldn't have said that...I would have said nothing or mumbled incoherently) Werner - "No my son, like sincerity"
Totally agreed, it can be risky to be sincere as an artist but I always prefer art that is sincere. Probably why I keep coming back to irony/sincerity on this channel. Also the dream you describe sounds beautiful and I can hear Herzog saying that so clearly in my head😂
After watching the movie, something has been on my mind for awhile. Did Enid have a mom? Did she die? Did she abandon Enid and her dad? Is that the reason why Enid is so cynical and bitter?
The absent mother is one of the ghosts in Ghostworld. I think your instinct is quite right: something made Enid angry, and I think the absent mother is key.
Thank you. It is awesome to find great content on the web. Right now it is not so easy. Great movie. I´m reading the comic right now. So true what you said about watchmen crap adaptation. And over all the interesting topic you talked, I definitely go to check out Scott Mcloud comic, essay study book.. Really great video.
You made me think of Creepshow in adaptation of a comic to a movie. I saw the move first then read the book. It comes off out of order and detached in each chapter
I think if Watchmen didn’t miss the political statements and their meanings, like the stuff found in the prose sections for instance, it could’ve been PERFECT, but only with this painstakingly recreated imageries.
My problem with the criticism against Watchmen is NO ONE has fully explained what's the point of the original mini-series that the movie supposedly missed. Is it that superheroes are impractical in the real world? Then it's not much of a point if there's no sense of hope, be it real or imaginary, in the world. Ghost World (great film) can get away being a pure adaptation of a comic book because it's not a superhero story that appeals to those not deeply entrenched in comic books Watchmen is, albeit the many sociopolitical forces present in the story, giving it a dark, satirical edge.
I love Ghost World to death. Enjoy everything Clowes has done. Another Graphic Novelist I really appreciate is Bryan K Vaughan, who I know Clowes was a big influence on. Unfortunately, none of his fantastic Graphic Novels have been successfully adapted to Hollywood at this point. Y: The Last Man and Paper Girls were made into TV series recently, but just didn't catch on. Ex Machina though is supposed to be adapted to a feature length film starring Oscar Isaac. But it's been in a long delay unfortunately. The Runaways is something he co-created, and did have a 3 season run on HULU to mixed reviews. So, I'm unsure if Brian K Vaughan's work was meant to work in Hollywood. I hope it can, but it may just need the right creative team behind it. Y: The Last Man especially as it was something many wanted to be made for years. But sadly the TV series seemed to go through development conflicts forever. And it felt rushed and was poorly marketed when it came out. I really think if it's given another shot with the right showrunner and cast, it could be done successfully.
I think i wouldve enjoyed this movie a lot more if the acting performances were better. Im not sure if it was simply the direction or script that lead to this but i felt so much stiffness with the two main leads. Buscemi was the bright spot here and so was nunchuck guy lol but other than that it felt really phoned in
"Watchmen completely missed the deeper meaning" But how though? Isn't a pretty much 1:1 adaptation incapable of missing the point? Almost all the important dialogue moments from the comic are in the movie.
The movie itself (acting, directing, writing, etc) was solid, but the characters irritated me so much I had to watch it in 5-10 minute pieces. Dana and Josh were the only characters I could stand because they were, in their way, voices of reason for the really toxic main three. (Granted, Rebecca was a little better towards the end.) Again, solid filmmaking but I just couldn't stand the characters.
A hundred directors would have made a hundred different versions of Ghost World. No director could have made a more perfect adaptation than Terry Zwigoff. Enid Coleslaw had to be Thora Birch.
Agreed, so happy this movie was made the way it was.
Totally agree. Scarlett Johansson made a good normie girl that's easy to forget years before she got big.
This film single handedly got me into small press comics. It hit hit me hard when I watched this the summer after my freshman year of college.
It's a great gateway into the weirder side of comics
@@ItsGregKon Yeah. I was familiar with titles like Preacher and Fables, but had no idea comics could be like Ghost World. I went on to find so many fantastic artists.
@@hurricanerae Can you reccomend any?
Same here, it was on TV and i started watching it when I flicked onto it and it was the first scene with Norman. I was transfixed and couldn’t stop thinking about it afterwards. I ordered the DVD and that was it, massive fan. I didn’t even know it was based on a comic, so when i found out that was when I became a massive Dan Clowes fan I had never read comics like it. Rebecca and Enid’s relationship is brilliantly represented in the film while the film is quite different its also the same - Rebecca pulling away as she starts to engage in adult life, wanting a real relationship with Josh, a job, money and an apartment while Enid clings to her teen angst. Rebecca finds out the same people they like are actually annoying and dysfunctional when you are forced to engage with them on their terms rather than as observers. Brilliant
Absolutely astonishing movie. Enid Coleslaw is probably the most relatable character for me. And she's played by my childhood/teenage TV crush
Okay so before I fall victim to being ironic like the characters in Ghost World, thank you so mich for the generous shoutout and awesome video!! This is easily one of my favourites that you have done!!!!!
That movie is a true gem
It is so good!
One of my favourite films. I read everything I can find on Ghost World, happy that so much attention was given to it recently (20th anniversary and all). Nice job with the video - happy that you're Canadian to boot :)
Ghost World means so much to me. Just perfect for the time and place I grew up in and I even got to watch Daniel Clowes do panels at SDCC before it turned into a clusterf***.
That is so cool! SDCC must have been so fun back when it was chill and not just a massive advertisement lol
same. Favorite book and film for me. I did get to meet him when he did a Q&A and book signing for Patience a few years ago, and also saw some of the filming of Wilson in my hometown.
Watching this right after dropping out of college right after highschool hit me hard.
Try watching when you're in your late 30s. That bus stop hits hard
this is one of my fav movies and I’ve been waiting for someone to do a video essay on it so this made me happy
That makes me so happy to hear!😁 Agreed, one of my all time favs
I watched the movie a while ago and really liked it, especially the Seymour plot. I recently bought the comic and I also enjoyed it, but was left wondering why the movie took the story about the personal ad and expanded on it the way it did, and found this video. Good points on the characterization of Enid and what she was searching for in life, I've been left with a better understanding of both the comic and the film.
So happy you liked the video!😊 It's such a great comic, and a great adaptation.
You know it "could" have been worse. Did you read the "sample script" in the book(the special edition)? it takes the stupid Seymour love triangle to the absolute ridiculousness. I'm glad it was "cut" from the final movie. Also, in the script Seymour get's fired from his job for allowing an old racist company marketing poster to fall into the hands of Enid who unwittingly enters it into an art show. Ridiculous. However, the worse thing about the movie/book contradiction is the stupid opening bollywood musical. Portraying the Enid Coleslaw is an eclectic international cultured teenager. No man. Enid is product of crappy step mothers and despises the materialism of her peers. Enid is fkn Punk Rock!!!
@@trexinvert I never read the comic but I thought the beginning scene of the Bollywood movie and her dancing the choreogher to it was more of self discovery or a phase. She even ask Seymore for any 60s Bollywood sound track before opening up to his interest of records.
This is one of my favourite movies of all time but it’s so sad
Finally got around to watching this. Definitely not my style, but its good to watch something outside my wheelhouse once in a while. Meandering through life maybe felt a bit too dull and/or real for me, but I love the metaphor of Norman on the bench and how it ties into Enid's journey; also, I love me an ambiguous ending.
That's fair, it's a weird one for sure! I'm a sucker for weirdos wandering through life movies😂 Agreed though, love that ending too
Based on a comic, Steve Buscemi, sexy voice reading the quotes, okay you got me. I'll check this movie out.
Who could that voice be?? 🤔
@@ItsGregKon I don't know but he sounds like Morgan Freeman
It also has David cross
just watched this movie last night and i was so amazed by how unique it was i also didn’t see in the beginning that it was based on a comic so when you went into that i was so interested. i never thought about the black part in between comics and how u can see the past now and future. CRAZYYY i’ve read so much manga and never thought of that once
I wish they would of made part 2. Thats how good this movie is.
You’re very underrated
Thank you!
the people who rate this movie very poorly in Letterboxd should watch this.
I love this movie, it represents the forefront of movies that I saw as a kid that continue to resonate with me in my late 30s.
Brilliant review of a great movie and comic.
fantastically produced video essay and amazing movie
Thank you so much! I worked really hard on this one and I'll be making more videos like it.
Glad the Ghost World fans are finding it😊
I thought this video wouldve had at least 100k views! it dwserves more recognitiion ur doing a great job
Thanks for watching and commenting😊 More on the way!
Great work. I felt that the film version tied together disparate elements from the comic book perfectly.
I hadn't really thought about this film as a search for sincerity. I get now why I love it like I do haha it's something I think about everyday, the layers of irony artists hide behind in order to never reach their hearts and be sincere (I'm looking at you Bo Burnham).
In fact, these thoughts are so seeped in me that I dream about it. One time I dreamt I was waiting for a train with a camera in my hand and Werner Herzog appeared, dressed as a homeless man. He said to me:
Werner - "I have some advice for you...if you really, truly wish to terrify, you must show to your audience what it is that they truly truly fear"
Me - "Like terrorism?" (Dumb response, conscious me wouldn't have said that...I would have said nothing or mumbled incoherently)
Werner - "No my son, like sincerity"
Totally agreed, it can be risky to be sincere as an artist but I always prefer art that is sincere. Probably why I keep coming back to irony/sincerity on this channel.
Also the dream you describe sounds beautiful and I can hear Herzog saying that so clearly in my head😂
Ghost World is one of my favorite stories / comics / movies! So good it went past good and back to good forever
Illuminating analysis. One of my favorite movies.
Wow, excellent video and review!
Much appreciated!
Fantastic video. You've got yourself another subscriber.
Thanks Rob! Welcome aboard
Really awesome video!
movie is epic! music makes alot too
I love this movie so damn much. Watched it so many times in high school.
Whenever I was in Austin I would get a copy of The Chronicle ....and always went to the funnies and read Ghost World......small pleasures.
Your video is a masterpiece 😊
After watching the movie, something has been on my mind for awhile. Did Enid have a mom? Did she die? Did she abandon Enid and her dad? Is that the reason why Enid is so cynical and bitter?
The absent mother is one of the ghosts in Ghostworld. I think your instinct is quite right: something made Enid angry, and I think the absent mother is key.
Thank you. It is awesome to find great content on the web. Right now it is not so easy. Great movie. I´m reading the comic right now. So true what you said about watchmen crap adaptation. And over all the interesting topic you talked, I definitely go to check out Scott Mcloud comic, essay study book.. Really great video.
Love the Liquid Swords beat
One of the best albums of all time
You made me think of Creepshow in adaptation of a comic to a movie. I saw the move first then read the book. It comes off out of order and detached in each chapter
informative video.. well done
I think if Watchmen didn’t miss the political statements and their meanings, like the stuff found in the prose sections for instance, it could’ve been PERFECT, but only with this painstakingly recreated imageries.
It's true, the visuals alone are top notch!
My problem with the criticism against Watchmen is NO ONE has fully explained what's the point of the original mini-series that the movie supposedly missed. Is it that superheroes are impractical in the real world? Then it's not much of a point if there's no sense of hope, be it real or imaginary, in the world. Ghost World (great film) can get away being a pure adaptation of a comic book because it's not a superhero story that appeals to those not deeply entrenched in comic books Watchmen is, albeit the many sociopolitical forces present in the story, giving it a dark, satirical edge.
Great video.
I love Ghost World to death. Enjoy everything Clowes has done.
Another Graphic Novelist I really appreciate is Bryan K Vaughan, who I know Clowes was a big influence on. Unfortunately, none of his fantastic Graphic Novels have been successfully adapted to Hollywood at this point. Y: The Last Man and Paper Girls were made into TV series recently, but just didn't catch on.
Ex Machina though is supposed to be adapted to a feature length film starring Oscar Isaac. But it's been in a long delay unfortunately.
The Runaways is something he co-created, and did have a 3 season run on HULU to mixed reviews.
So, I'm unsure if Brian K Vaughan's work was meant to work in Hollywood. I hope it can, but it may just need the right creative team behind it. Y: The Last Man especially as it was something many wanted to be made for years. But sadly the TV series seemed to go through development conflicts forever. And it felt rushed and was poorly marketed when it came out.
I really think if it's given another shot with the right showrunner and cast, it could be done successfully.
It's basically Daria.
Hear, hear.
I think you'll find that Daria is basically Ghostworld
dont forget the oceans films and of course scott pilgrim
Ghost World is the Velma and Daphne spin-off we deserve.
I think i wouldve enjoyed this movie a lot more if the acting performances were better. Im not sure if it was simply the direction or script that lead to this but i felt so much stiffness with the two main leads. Buscemi was the bright spot here and so was nunchuck guy lol but other than that it felt really phoned in
"Watchmen completely missed the deeper meaning"
But how though? Isn't a pretty much 1:1 adaptation incapable of missing the point? Almost all the important dialogue moments from the comic are in the movie.
The movie itself (acting, directing, writing, etc) was solid, but the characters irritated me so much I had to watch it in 5-10 minute pieces. Dana and Josh were the only characters I could stand because they were, in their way, voices of reason for the really toxic main three. (Granted, Rebecca was a little better towards the end.)
Again, solid filmmaking but I just couldn't stand the characters.
Stinky hipster movie