The second film I have chosen is 2001's GHOST WORLD directed by Terry Zwigoff. The film is based on a graphic novel of the same name by Daniel Clowes. It is very different from the graphic novel, but both incarnations of Enid Coleslaw's story are compelling works of art. This film is one of my favorite films. Spoilers ahead, so read with caution.
Graduation is a significant rite of passage. In this shot, Enid and Rebecca give the finger to their old life. The life that groomed them for college, marriage, and normal life in society. Conforming. The last "fuck you" before they take on the world, a world full of what they consider to be uncool idiots.
Though they are friends, there is already a strange disconnect between the girls. Maybe they're only friends by habit now that high school's over. They now let men drive their interests. Here Enid is gazing at Dennis...an odd beat that hints at romantic feelings. I'd like to give my first shout-out to the costume design of this film. Mary Zophres uses color and pattern so well. Enid's character evolves very delicately through her clothing.
The artwork in this film is vital to the story. It explicitly shows Enid's perspective of the world. Her eclectic, isolated view of things sets her apart from even Rebecca. She and Rebecca only share their cynical mocking of strangers. Kudos to Sophie Crumb for her artwork in this film.
"Can we call you Weird Al?" This film begins with a joking, buddy comedy feel and plays as such for a good hour. It isn't until Steve Buscemi's character is introduced that the film's focus dramatically changes.
"Nearer, Father, Nearer" may be the funniest short film within a film ever. I had to give the moment a special shout-out because it plays up the contrasting group of people in this film. There are the conforming zombies and then there are the loons that believe their creativity elevates them to a level of superiority. I just love the pretentious cheesiness of the art world in this film.
Perhaps one of the funniest performances ever because it's so real. Illeana Douglas plays summer school art teacher Roberta Allsworth who, for what it's worth, tries to instill a love for art in her unmotivated slacker students. She is so open, so easily lead by her students. I love her bug eyes and her wardrobe.
This is the ghost world. A world where people walk around consuming without connection. Lost souls that only need a Big Mac and a pair of Nikes to find happiness.
This is the beginning of Enid's obsessive connection with Seymour. She follows him out of curiosity and fascination. She can't believe that such a pathetic soul exists.
"That's not officially for sale. I might need to hold on to that for the time being." This fascination leads Enid to a yard sale which provokes her first face-to-face contact with the other lost soul of the film, Seymour. She buys a record from him out of sympathy.
Norman waits for a bus that'll never come. Almost never at least...
And when Enid listens to Seymour's record she is transported, not by bus, but by music. She feels a sense of profound connection even though she is completely alone. And this causes her to seek him out further. She and Seymour build a seemingly innocent friendship, albeit odd.
This friendship ultimately causes the demise of her friendship with Rebecca, who is only interested in recreating an adolescent fantasy of adulthood. Enid resents this childish fantasy, but admits that she cares for Rebecca despite their difference in maturity levels and goals. This shot is beautiful because it shows to me how important this connection was to them.
The end of the film results in Enid traveling to the bus stop where Norman waited day after day for a bus that would supposedly never come. She has earlier in the film expressed a desire to hop onto a bus without telling anyone and start a new life.
So she hops on a bus in what could be a metaphor for suicide or rebirth and rides off gently with the good night. It's a beautifully somber ending to what began as a sarcastic, post-high school tale. Thora Birch is amazing in this film and I strongly recommend it.
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