'The Ghost Writer'

Controversial director Roman Polanski shows he still has the stuff to make a compelling drama by adapting novelist Robert Harris' story of a writer ( Ewan McGregor) summoned to help a former British prime minister ( Pierce Brosnan) prepare the latter's memoirs.

While fascinated by his subject, the author discovers certain facts that ultimately place him in peril; the strong cast also includes Kim Cattrall ("Sex and the City"), Tom Wilkinson, Olivia Williams, Timothy Hutton, Eli Wallach and James Belushi. DVD extras: two "making-of" documentaries; interview with Polanski. *** (PG-13: AS, P, V) (Also on Blu-ray)

Buy 'The Ghost Writer' on DVD.