The Black Dahlia
Screenplay written by: Josh Friedman, based the James Ellroy
novel
”
The Black Dahlia
”
(also writer of L.A. Confidential)
Actors: Aaron Eckhart, Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary
Swank, John Kavanagh, Fiona Shaw
Directed by: Brian DePalma (Scarface, The Untouchables, Mission
Impossible, Carlitos Way, Body Double, Dressed to Kill, Obsession,
etc.)
Rated: R (Strong violence, grisly images, sexual content)
The Black Dahlia
Screenplay written by: Josh Friedman, based the James Ellroy novel “The Black Dahlia” (also writer of L.A. Confidential)
Actors: Aaron Eckhart, Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, John Kavanagh, Fiona Shaw
Directed by: Brian DePalma (Scarface, The Untouchables, Mission Impossible, Carlitos Way, Body Double, Dressed to Kill, Obsession, etc.)
Rated: R (Strong violence, grisly images, sexual content)
In the late 1940s, ex-boxers turned police detectives, Lee Blanchard, nicknamed “Fire” (Aaron Eckhart) and Bucky Bleichert, nicknamed “Ice” (Josh Hartnett) are persuaded to put on a bout to help sway a bond measure to enrich the department’s pay scale. Basking in their new appreciation by the department, “Fire and Ice” have no idea that their bright professional and personal lives are soon to be darkened by the gruesome murder of Elizabeth Short, a desperate starlet willing to do anything to eat. Nor do they realize that the lurid world they will be drawn into during their murder investigation will bring out their personal best and worse, beginning with Blanchard’s illogical total obsession with the sensational “Black Dahlia” murder, even at the expense of ongoing investigations that cost people their lives. Then, while Bucky is the third stool-leg sharing more than just professional friendships with Lee and his gorgeous long-time girlfriend, Kay Lake (Scarlett Johansson), he suddenly alters his life when he encounters the irresistible Madeleine Linscott (Hilary Swank), her strange and powerful father (John Kavanagh), and tormented drug-dependent high society mother (Fiona Shaw).
He Said:
The Black Dahlia was the second high budget glamorously authentic crime drama set in “Hollywood-land” at mid-century released this quarter. However, this one centered on the true, infamous and gruesome “Black Dahlia” murder by giving you bits of fact merged with fictitious pieces and people in the investigation. Three things particularly stood out. 1) Hillary Swank’s unforgettable and startlingly seductive glamour throughout; 2) The sheer shock value of the visual and/or sound in two particularly graphic De Palmaesque scenes; and 3) Scarlett Johansson’s beautiful and alluring pout that wore well for the entire film that ended so unsatisfyingly.
On the R&R Scale (1-10):
6 for script: good, but something lost in the last few minutes that was either script or direction driven in the expeditious ending.
7 for direction: ” ”
8 for acting: consistently 1940s-like exaggeration quite effective for a period piece; Swank and Johansson especially good.
6 for plot: interesting and enthralling – then, ultimately convoluted.
7 for entertainment value: pretty good, then let me down a bit.
6.8 overall
She Said:
This over-the-top stylized crime drama was so unfailing in its vivid depiction of a mid-century Hollywood world in which society is as tainted by dramatically mirroring the Hollywood movies as the Hollywood movies are in conjuring up its own notion of its society. The acting co-leads of “Fire and Ice” were stereotypical detectives in so many ways that it left the more complex and broader characterizations to the female roles to get louder applause.
On the R&R Scale (1-10)
7 for script: captured the period, intrigue, and mores authentically; the ends didn’t neatly fuse – they were rough wielded.
7 for direction: inspired stylized cinematography and scene direction, 10; the last 15 minutes were unworthy.
9 for acting: called for some over-acting to mislead on plot elements; some performances will be career highlights.
6 for plot: complicated and convoluted.
8 for entertainment value: not-to-miss performances.
7.4 overall
