On C List of Movie Reviews
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City of Ghosts (2002)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
10/18
10/18:
Matt Dillon...the director?
To date, City of Ghosts is the only film he has done. It's an auspicious endeavor and a good
entry into the neo-noir genre. Shot on location in Cambodia and Thailand, it's also strange and unique
but, more importantly, atmospheric.
Matt Dillon doubling up his duties by starring is the more the merrier, and he turns in a solid performance.
James Caan, Gérard Depardieu, and Stellan Skarsgård of Good Will Hunting
lend their support. An unsung performance comes from Kem Sereyvuth, a nonprofessional Cambodian actor, as Sok.
Notice Sok carrying a porcupine ball. Found mainly in Southeast Asia, the edible fruit is called "durian" which
has a notorious reputation for emiting super-strong smell, leading to its banishment from certain hotels and
public transportation. There are four signs posted in Singapore mass transit, and they're: no smoking, no eating
and drinking, no flammable goods, and no durians.
All in all, Matt Dillon proved in City of Ghosts that he could direct.