Ghost World

Ok, I'm obsessed with this movie. Everything about Thora Birch's character, Enid, is ten times more genuine and interesting than any Juno. She's quirky and clearly tries to stick it to the establishment on purpose.

When I first found out Scarlett Johansson was in this movie, I was worried because she tends to irritate me. She didn't disappoint with her consistent monotone and random "I want to do him" outbursts. But it all worked out in the end because her character, Rebecca, wasn't really even one you were supposed to like. She was dull, and I'm glad Enid ditched her.

The story follows two friends (Enid and Rebecca) after they graduate high school. They made plans to not go to college and get their own apartment instead. After Enid meets a new friend named Seymour and starts taking a summer school art class, the two begin to realize that their dream was just a childhood fantasy.

Apart from Thora Birch, it was the little characters in this movie that made it great. My NUMBER ONE FAVORITE is Doug. Played by Dave Sheridan, this no-shirt wearing redneck with a mullet frequents the Sidewinder's convenience store. Chewing on beef jerky and brandishing nunchucks this hillbilly with tank top tan lines likes to blast his music and piss off the Greek store owner.

Another favorite was Norman (Charles Stevenson Jr.), a confused, old man who always sits on a bench waiting for a bus that never comes. He serves as a constant in Enid's life in the strangest of ways.

When Scenes

WHEN Enid and Rebecca ask their waiter if they can call him Weird Al.

WHEN the girl in Enid's art class puts a tampon in a tea cup, calls it art, and is praised.

WHEN Enid sees Norman actually get on a bus.

WHEN the art teacher has experience in performance art and video.

WHEN a customer at the video store asks for 8 1/2 and the clerk finds 9 1/2 Weeks.

WHEN Enid makes Seymour take her to the adult store.

WHEN Enid gets a job at the movie theatre and gets fired in one day.

QUICKIES

"God, just think, we'll never see Dennis again."- Thora Birch (Enid)

"Good."- Scarlett Johansson (Rebecca)

"No, think about that. It's actually totally depressing."- Thora Birch (Enid)

"Look at me, I'm not even listening to a word you're saying."- Thora Birch (Enid (to her father))

"We have to get together this summer!"- Debra Azar (Melora)

"Yeah, that'll definitely happen."- Thora Birch (Enid)

"God I didn't think that just cuz you get an F you have to take the whole class over again."- Thora Birch (Enid)

"I'm hungry enough to chew the crouch out of a rag doll."- Dave Sheridan (Doug)

"Oh my god. He just ordered a giant glass of milk."- Thora Birch (Enid)

"That's a vanilla milkshake."- Brad Renfro (Josh)

"Hey you're wearing a green dress. What are you, Irish? I bet you're Irish."- Party guy hitting on Rebecca

Fun Facts

Daniel Clowes the Ghost World comic book author and screenwriter plays one of the customers in the porno shop.

Enid Coleslaw is an anagram of Daniel Clowes name.

Thora Birch gained 20 pounds for the role of Enid.

This was the first film to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay based on a graphic novel or comic book.

When Enid came to visit Seymour, he is wearing blue jeans, a present from his date Dana. Those pair of pants also appear earlier on, laying on a sidewalk, and are missing when Enid walks back home from Seymour's.