Ghost World

I finished watching "Ghost World" (2001) a few minutes ago.
It is one of Scarlett J's first films. As expected, her acting is subpar. She underplays her role, which is actually better than overplaying a role yet unsatisfactory. Scarlett is generally a mediocre actress, and I am awatiting her appearance in Iron Man 2 apprehensively.
When one considers Thora Birch's performance in this movie and American Beauty he wonders why her career is basically a lost file in the "Where Are They Now?" cabinet. Maybe hse doesn't give good face. I dunno.
But let's return to this movie. I knew that it is from 2001, yet it seems as if it is a baby of the '90s because it is based on a graphic novel that was written during that decade. I half-expected to see the characters watch Seinfeld at some points-- the clothing, the hairstyles, melancholy themes, etc. all evoke that distinct '90s teen spirit.
There are nearly historic markings in the film: a boy who acts shy and gets red-faced and sweaty when he must act alongside the teen babes. I was touched by his inability to shake his shyness onscreen. I was shocked/depressed to learn that the boy is Brad Renfro, who died last year. RIP. Also, David Cross makes a rare, brief appearance here-- one of the few he made before his career soared.
Overall, it's fairly good, and I recommend it to anyone who has a hankerin' for that decade during these shitty times, especially if you were a teenager at the time. It has the sort of bizarre themes to which only a '90s teen can relate.