First, to our reviewer popkiss66 from Chicago, just how seriously can we take your "review" when you mention that it was "filmed on location (why spend the extra cash!?) in like kathmandu or something". It was filmed on location in CAMBODIA, which isn't even close to Kathmandu...or something.Now, back to our film: This is not a great film, but it brought something to my mind. While I've ever been a fan, I'm realizing that Matt Dillon is a rather dependable actor, and has been now for a good many years. Although he's not top rank, he also hasn't been a one hit wonder. I may need to reassess his status in American cinema.I have spent several years in Thailand, first visiting often and then living there, as well as some time in Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, and Jakarta. I've never been to Cambodia, but the depiction of the criminal element in Southeast Asia rings true. And that really is the basis of the plot in this story. You have the Westerners (here exemplified by James Caan's character) who think they are smarter than the natives, but end up living a cesspool life. And you have the natives who think they're smarter than the Westerners, not even realizing they are living a cesspool life. There are no winners, only different types of losers. Rather pathetic actually. And it is real.This is not a perfect film, by any means. There are some loose ends as the story unfolds. Some situations that don't quite work. But overall, it's a pretty good story, albeit imperfect. Dillon wrote it, so I give some credit to him.Matt Dillon's acting is dependable (as I mentioned earlier). His characterization is believable. I've always disliked James Caan as an actor, but he is satisfactory here as the main Westerner-crook. Natascha McElhone as the love interest is also acceptable. Gérard Depardieu as a bar owner is interesting, but I fail to see the brilliance alluded to by some reviewers. Kem Sereyvuth does nicely as the Cambodian companion to Dillon's character. Perhaps the best acting is done by Stellan Skarsgård, here another crook.Will I want to watch this again? No. But it is a decent film, and Matt Dillon deserves some kudos for his project.

How many films have we seen set in decaying far away third world locations, way beyond the reach of law and order and inhabited by the detrius of the Western World, each with a shady past and all living on the edge. These films usually have as their title the name of the city in which they are set, Casablanca, Algiers, Maroc, Hong Kong, Shanghai - as long as it is exotic and off the beaten track, City of Ghosts is no exception. In the 1940s it would have been named Pnomg Peng and starred Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Gale Sondegaard, Marlene Deitrich, Hedy Lamaar, Jean Gabin and other favorites of the genre. All the requisite characters are there. All twisted, corrupt and ready to sell their own mothers at a snap of the fingers.The French exile Emile, owner of a run down hotel and bar, who may have been left over from the French colonization of Indo China and has no home in France, or maybe he is an escaped convict, or a deserter from the Foreign Legion. Who knows, he might be any and all of these things. He knows his way around, understands his low life customers, who to deal with, which palms to grease and more importantly - when.Other main characters comprise the not -quite-good guy around whom the story is built, the successful con man who might have gone in for one con too many, the corrupt general, the bar girls (boys) and of course, the decent clean western girl visiting old temples and naively treading her delicate way through the mud and filth.Cambodia is shown as a near derelict run down ruin of a place, crumbling buildings, dirt roads, rubbish strewn everywhere, although there are some glimpses of lovely homes and attractive gardens. I was reminded of "The Quiet American", "Brokedown Palace" and "Beyond Rangoon" the westerner suddenly cast adrift in a very different world. If you like to lose yourself in an intricate thriller set in foreign parts, with nostalgia for the film noir genre, I can recommend this film.

I'm not necessarily saying it's as good as "Casablanca", but I'm saying there are some interesting parallels. "Casablanca" is probably one of the most atmospheric and characteristic films of the 20th century. It was one of the first films to sink itself into a dreamlike setting, drawing heavily on its location: a forgotten waterhole in the desert where Western exiles slog through their lives waiting for who-knows-what. "City of Ghosts" is filled with the same dreamy, surrealistic feeling but with a layer of grime and sweat that gives it an air of realism at the same time. Hats off to rookie director Matt Dillon for not only having the guts to attempt it but to succeed.You may hear people, including Roger Ebert, calling the plot preposterous. A white collar hustler (Dillon) flees the USA and ends up in Cambodia searching for his enigmatic mentor who seems to be neck deep in bok choi himself. Sounds sorta like "The Color of Money" meets "Apocalypse Now", huh? Why not. Even Roger Ebert said the plot is not nearly as attention grabbing as the impressive setting, cinematography and mood."Cityu of Ghosts" is reportedly the first major motion picture to be shot in Cambodia since the 1960s, and Dillon & his filmmaking crew didn't skimp on finding the best settings. The locations can best be summed up by a line from the film when James Caan, who is occupying the ex-governor's estate, says "What do you think?" To which someone answers, "Could use a coat of paint" and Caan fires back, "The entire country could use a coat of paint." In other words, the locations are full of majesty and grandeur but with a raw, unkempt appearance that only add to the charm.Some of my favorite scenes were at the tavern and hotel of innkeeper Emile (Gerard Depardieu), again reminding me of Bogart's "Rick's" in Casablanca. Depardieu plays a curious character, a tough guy who kicks thugs' butts while holding a baby under one arm. Among his staff is a trained monkey who steals from the patrons while Depardieu feverishly denies the monkey's existence. Haha, pure magic! Dillon himself plays a tough but clueless American who learns the ropes fast, while Caan plays a wiser type who seems to be on the verge of insanity with his delusional ideas. Both actors deliver.The soundtrack is also worth noting. Subtle yet memorable, particularly a recurring piece called "Dear 5" by Peter Whitehead. Look it up on Youtube if you get a chance, it will give you a decent idea of the moody, atmospheric show that's in store for you.Like I said earlier, don't expect to be blown away by the plot. Heck, even Casablanca had a pretty linear storyline. But what matters in this film is the presentation. In addition to "Casablanca" I would compare this film to "Witness in the War Zone" (with Christopher Walken) and an excellent Taiwanese gangster/zen flick called "The Drummer".

I thought the film did a great job of portraying the weird mix of cultures that exists in SE Asia today. There are entrepreneurs and con men looking to profit in the anarchy of war-traumatized societies. There are the common folk just hoping to get by without more violence. And there are the Westerners who come to wrap themselves in the mysticism of the ancient culture which permeates daily life and will prevail after these characters have moved on.I bought my DVD in a market in Myanmar. I got the 2-hour version which I loved, partly because the editing keeps you on your toes (plot development scenes start and end abruptly without lengthy introduction). I would like to see the longer version which must have spurred the comments I've read about the long camera takes on the Cambodian countryside.Great writing and directing by Dillon. Co-writer Gifford showed his David Lynchian background with almost over-the-top casting of fringe characters. And the soundtrack is perfect in reflecting the melding of old and new cultures.