Ghost Town

RICKY Gervais’ eagerly-awaited first lead role in a Hollywood vehicle is a so-so romantic comedy that is sure to be a hit with the big man’s fans but continue to leave others scratching their heads.

The Office creator and star plays misanthropic dentist Dr Bertram Pincus who dies during an operation.

Miraculously revived, he awakes to discover he has the ability to see and hear the dead.

The spirits make Pincus’ new existence a living hell but he’s given hope when the late Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear) makes him a promise.

He vows to keep the rest away if Pincus swears to help his widow (Téa Leoni) only for all parties to become involved in a bizarre supernatural love triangle.

Gervais gives a very good account of himself as a leading man in a film that often crackles with more than enough wit and charm.

The only problem with Ghost Town is that the paper thin storyline means things start to fall apart at the seams long before the credits roll despite the sterling efforts of Gervais, Leoni and Kinnear.