So here it is, Ricky Gervais’ first stab at being a leading role in a big Hollywood film. Not only is he the lead, he’s also the romantic lead to boot. Let’s just ponder on that for a bit shall we? Ricky Gervais... romantic lead... And although this is a comedy, that’s not even supposed to be the funny bit. We, the audience, are expected to take Gervais - the funny man - as a romantic leading figure. In his first lead role. Has the world gone completely cuckoo?

Thankfully, it‘s more of a comedy than a smaltzy film. Unfortunately, it just isn’t that funny. Gervais plays Bertram Pincus, an English dentist living in Manhattan. He has a near death experience which means he can now see dead people. Recently deceased Frank (Greg Kinnear) decides to get Pincus to help him to stop another guy moving in on his living wife. In return, he promises to keep all the other dead folk who want his help, off his back. However, when Pincus meets the wife (Téa Leoni), he feels a sudden tugging sensation on his heart strings.

Oh my god - was that my film career that just flashed before me?!

It’s difficult to understand just why Gervais took this role. Although David Koepp has earnt a decent crust as a screenplay writer, his directing efforts (Secret Window, Stir Of Echoes) have been a bit flat. And intentionally not funny. So with that pedigree, someone in Hollywood decides to give him a romantic comedy to direct, with the UK’s Mr Funny in the lead. Doink.

There’s no point in denying the Gervais can be a funny man. Although on this evidence, you wouldn’t actually know it. He tries his best, sure, but the material he has to work with is just dull. But surely if you get a well known comedy writer on board, how could it suck so bad? The director Koepp wrote it you say? Oh. And of course the world is crying out for another ‘I see dead people’ flick. Haven’t they just about been done to death? Yes, yes they have.

The supporting cast don’t help - either themselves, or the audience. Kinnear tries his best, but he often looks like he’s already working on his next project in his head. And Leoni shows once again she has the depth of an inflatable paddling pool – with a leak.

The only one here who will come out of it with the least amount of bruises is Gervais though. He still manages to make a fairly unpleasant character likeable, as well as make the few genuinely funny bits in the film, at least 17% funnier. Just like any other ghost town though, this one is also to be avoided.