Ghost Town (2008)

Ricky Gervais's deadpan humour translates uncomfortably to the big screen in David Koepp's sappy supernatural romantic comedy. In his first Hollywood starring vehicle, Gervais plays a misery-guts Manhattan dentist who dies briefly during a routine operation and wakes up with the ability to see dead people. All these ghosts are seeking closure of one sort or another, including philandering Greg Kinnear, who wants wife Téa Leoni's remarriage plans sabotaged. When Gervais reluctantly becomes embroiled in their relationship, his unlikeable Scrooge persona starts to give way to an inner sweetness. Unfortunately, the mild-mannered comedy feels forced here and the weak romantic element is equally awkward. Expert support from Kinnear and Leoni offsets Gervais's fitfully amusing sarcasm, but no one can make this zing with the spirit it sorely needs.