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'Ghost World' a different kind of teen movie
 Harold John Behling
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When I think about the "teen movie" genre I usually cringe and brace myself for the worse. I expect actors in their late twenties portraying beautiful but terribly stupid teens in the tired and one dimensional roles of football jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, punk kids and the rest.
The first triumph of "Ghost World" is escaping this template. The main characters and stock characters are convincingly kids that you would see at a high school, rather than a hollywood studio.
Enid and Rebecca (played by Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson) have just graduated high school. The two best friends set out to discover what the next step in life is.
Bitterly sarcastic and disenchanted with high school, boys and basically the world at large, Enid discovers a lonely music collector Seymour (played by Steve Buscemi), whom she leads on a series of random adventures, including a quest to find him a girlfriend.
Just as random are Rebecca's aspirations. Throughout the movie Enid shifts back and forth between several different paths for her future. Her indecision frustrates the people around her and also the audience as the plot drags, making the movie's end appear contingent on her making up her mind.
This feeling is intended though, and it recreates the feeling of inner struggle that all teens can relate to.
"Ghost World" has some funny moments, but I wouldn't be too quick to label it as a comedy. It is entertaining in more of a broad sense.
It's an interesting story, one that will remind you (if you are young enough) of people you knew in high school.
It's also a story that will remind you of that post-high school moment � the one where you realized that it was finally over, and also when you realized for the first time just how big the next question was (all ages apply here).
Please note: "Ghost World" is a recent video release. You can find it at any video rental store.
Unfortunately, Video Update near campus has closed its doors, so you will have to visit one of the other video rental stores in town. However, you have to drive to get there. Bummer if you don't have a car. Good Luck!
Harold John Behling can be reached at: [email protected]
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