Art School Confidential (2006) -vs- Ghost World (2001)

Review by Bryce Zabel 

The Smackdown |Both of these films were directed by Terry Zwigoff, written by artist Daniel Clowes and are based on graphic novels that Clowes wrote. Both have main characters who attend art school and have to learn from idiotic teachers. You'll also find Steve Buscemi in both. You won't find either in the main town cineplex (usually) because they're both so far out of the mainstream, and that's probably why I liked them both a lot.

The Challenger |"Art School Confidential" is the story of Jerome (Max Minghella), a really fine artist who gets the confidence kicked out of him by the mediocrity which surrounds him in art school (it's scary how creepy incompetent John Malkovich's character is). Oh, and there's also a serial killer on the loose.

"Would you like to see my etchings? They're in the bedroom."

The Defending Champion |"Ghost World" is the story of Enid (Thora Birch), who plays like a modern, female Holden Caulfield, lonely and ironic. Nobody understands her except for a fried chicken executive who's a pathetic loner who's way too old for her and collects 78rpm records.

"If you sleep with him, you will spend the rest of your life being nauseous."

The Scorecard |I'm not 100% certain of what I'm about to say but here goes: if you like "Ghost World" you will probably like "Art School Confidential" but not quite as much, but if you like "Art School Confidential" you still may not get "Ghost World." Which is the better film probably goes to how you come down on the sub-plot of "Art School Confidential." It's true that the serial killer angle does give it more plot and makes it feel more mainstream but that may not be a good thing. Also, "Ghost World" has an early appearance by Scarlett Johanssen as Enid's best friend, which is a treat.

The Decision |Full disclosure time. While running the TV Academy, I actually got to know Thora Birch and her mom after running into them at a number of Hollywood events, and Thora is even in my wife's "Hollywood Cookbook" project. So I like "Ghost World" on a level beyond it being a mere film. But I can't shake that connection and it makes me feel like it's the better film for a lot of other reasons, too. I liked "Art School Confidential" but I really thought "Ghost World" provided a searing protrait of a young woman hanging on to life by the edge of her fingernails. See "Ghost World" if you haven't, you will not be sorry.