THE BLACK DAHLIA
Perhaps THE BLACK DAHLIA gets off easy because when viewed in close succession to the similarly themed HOLLYWOODLAND... it soars in comparison. When it comes to 2006 film noir efforts, THE BLACK DAHLIA is vastly superior in terms of direction, style, performances, and structure. But being better then HOLLYWOODLAND doesn't mean much in my book.
THE BLACK DAHLIA explores the mystery behind the murder of Elizabeth Short (played hypnotically by Mia Kirshner). In the 1940's, the young Ms. Short, an aspiring actress, was found roadside cut into two hollowed out shells of a corpse. The investigation of her murder led the L.A.P.D. in a whirlwind, with the centerpieces being Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Leland "Lee" Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart).
Lee and Bucky are new partners on the force, but old friends who live in an odd romantic triangle with a woman named Kay Lake (a wooden and stuffy Scarlett Johansson). Though Kay is clearly with Lee, the tension between her and Bucky is apparent. However, as Lee descends into madness, Bucky's world shifts. Kay expresses more need for him as he becomes entangled in a romantic affair with Madeleine Linscott (Hillary Swank, wonderful in a sexy role). As one can assume, the film does not stick to the truth behind the case very closely.
Directed by Brian DePalma, THE BLACK DAHLIA has a strong visual structure and is always captivating to watch. DePalma manages to create quite an impact with the footage of Short before her death, and his camera-work on scenes such as the Linscott dinner and the boxing match between Lee and Bucky. However, while DePalma excels at visual structure, he falters in terms of actual plot structure.
While THE BLACK DAHLIA has many of the ingredients for great film noir, it never gels due to a problematic script. It's never clear where our sympathy should lie, nor is it ever clear who the primary suspect is. Though we find out in the end who the killer is and it is placed blatantly before our eyes... all the bits and pieces that add up to this don't really make sense. By giving virtually every character in the film a dark twist, the audience can't follow who did what.
THE BLACK DAHLIA left me intrigued, but entirely confused. Still, I enjoyed the film enough to revisit it again in the future to see if my confusion could only be blamed on a complicated plot that is difficult to absorb on one viewing. The film also bolsters a handful of surprising performances. Never has Josh Hartnett been this believable in an adult role, and he proves that he might have what it takes to cross over into a respected career. In a similar vein, though Hillary Swank has always been captivating to watch, this is the first time she has proved that her incredible acting talents can remain apparent even while playing a sexy woman. Finally, Mia Kirshner is incredibly captivating even with her limited screen name as the murder victim. However, even more resonant then the good performances is the disappointing one offered by Hollywood It-Girl Scarlett Johannson. In a role that seems perfectly catered to her sexy beyond her years persona, Johannson can't even so much as smoke a cigarette convincingly here... what happened?! In the end, THE BLACK DAHLIA is a film that still has promise after one viewing. I will certainly see it again and be able to more properly assess it's quality when I give the twists and turns in the plot a closer inspection. For now, though flawed, it can safely be labeled the best 1940's film noir of 2006... leagues ahead of the abysmal HOLLYWOODLAND.
... C+ ...
Perhaps THE BLACK DAHLIA gets off easy because when viewed in close succession to the similarly themed HOLLYWOODLAND... it soars in comparison. When it comes to 2006 film noir efforts, THE BLACK DAHLIA is vastly superior in terms of direction, style, performances, and structure. But being better then HOLLYWOODLAND doesn't mean much in my book.
THE BLACK DAHLIA explores the mystery behind the murder of Elizabeth Short (played hypnotically by Mia Kirshner). In the 1940's, the young Ms. Short, an aspiring actress, was found roadside cut into two hollowed out shells of a corpse. The investigation of her murder led the L.A.P.D. in a whirlwind, with the centerpieces being Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Leland "Lee" Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart).
Lee and Bucky are new partners on the force, but old friends who live in an odd romantic triangle with a woman named Kay Lake (a wooden and stuffy Scarlett Johansson). Though Kay is clearly with Lee, the tension between her and Bucky is apparent. However, as Lee descends into madness, Bucky's world shifts. Kay expresses more need for him as he becomes entangled in a romantic affair with Madeleine Linscott (Hillary Swank, wonderful in a sexy role). As one can assume, the film does not stick to the truth behind the case very closely.
Directed by Brian DePalma, THE BLACK DAHLIA has a strong visual structure and is always captivating to watch. DePalma manages to create quite an impact with the footage of Short before her death, and his camera-work on scenes such as the Linscott dinner and the boxing match between Lee and Bucky. However, while DePalma excels at visual structure, he falters in terms of actual plot structure.
While THE BLACK DAHLIA has many of the ingredients for great film noir, it never gels due to a problematic script. It's never clear where our sympathy should lie, nor is it ever clear who the primary suspect is. Though we find out in the end who the killer is and it is placed blatantly before our eyes... all the bits and pieces that add up to this don't really make sense. By giving virtually every character in the film a dark twist, the audience can't follow who did what.
THE BLACK DAHLIA left me intrigued, but entirely confused. Still, I enjoyed the film enough to revisit it again in the future to see if my confusion could only be blamed on a complicated plot that is difficult to absorb on one viewing. The film also bolsters a handful of surprising performances. Never has Josh Hartnett been this believable in an adult role, and he proves that he might have what it takes to cross over into a respected career. In a similar vein, though Hillary Swank has always been captivating to watch, this is the first time she has proved that her incredible acting talents can remain apparent even while playing a sexy woman. Finally, Mia Kirshner is incredibly captivating even with her limited screen name as the murder victim. However, even more resonant then the good performances is the disappointing one offered by Hollywood It-Girl Scarlett Johannson. In a role that seems perfectly catered to her sexy beyond her years persona, Johannson can't even so much as smoke a cigarette convincingly here... what happened?! In the end, THE BLACK DAHLIA is a film that still has promise after one viewing. I will certainly see it again and be able to more properly assess it's quality when I give the twists and turns in the plot a closer inspection. For now, though flawed, it can safely be labeled the best 1940's film noir of 2006... leagues ahead of the abysmal HOLLYWOODLAND.
... C+ ...