Post by femmefatalefan7 on Jul 12, 2024 13:20:28 GMT -5
The Black Dahlia - Review
I don't mind telling you I was wrong about THE BLACK DAHLIA (2006). After two viewings, I ranked it in the cellar among Brian De Palma films. It was so confusing, I could enjoy no aspect of the film. Recently, however, I have a much better understanding of this story. All I needed was a pad, a pen, a pause button and to activate the subtitles.
While I can't say it's at the very top of my De Palma favs, it's much higher than before. Most of the information is actually in the film and faithful to the convoluted novel by James Ellroy. The rest is deliberately up for interpretation. Past that, it's a good screenplay. And without the confusion, one can finally enjoy the overall filmmaking.
THE BLACK DAHLIA's overall production is excellent. Given the film's harsh criticisms, it may come as a surprise to find out the Cinematography, Production Design, Costumes, Editing and Score have all received accolades from various sources. De Palma and team did a nice job recreating 40's L.A. even though much filming was in Bulgaria.
Some critics thought Josh Harnett was miscast, but Aaron Eckhart was great. Others thought it was Eckhart who was miscast and Hartnett was fine. You know something is up when the critics can't even get THAT straight.
I believe Josh had the perfect look and narration voiceover for the laconic noir hero Bucky, and Aaron was ideal as the hot-headed detective Lee, who isn't exactly what he seems...a Kirk Douglas type as De Palma put it.
Scarlett Johansson is a fan of Brian De Palma and fought to play Kay, a character with secrets but good intentions. While she didn't physically fit the description as written in James Ellroy's novel, she embodies the kind of shapely blonde "good girl with a shady past" perfectly. Johansson brings softness and charisma to the role.
De Palma chose Hilary Swank to play the femme fatale Madeleine because he's a fan and it's a role against type for her. However, she looks nothing like the Elizabeth Short, which is a VERY important subplot to the story. To her credit, Swank delivers a very 40's style sultry performance. She nails the upper class accent and looks great. But it is difficult for me to get past the fact she looks nothing like Short, even when dressed in all black.
Speaking of Short, perhaps the strongest casting choice is Mia Kirshner as Elizabeth, aka the Black Dahlia. An absolutely brilliant decision to include scenes of her audition with a seedy director (voiced by De Palma himself). Mia gives her character and the film so much so much soul. Without Mia's performance, Short would have been just a victim. The subject of an investigation. But Mia brings something very special to the whole endeavor. One can't help but wonder if De Palma at least considered casting Mia as BOTH Elizabeth and Madeleine. He's done that sort of thing before and I think she would have killed both parts.
The set pieces: You almost forget that Brian De Palma is an excellent action director and he orchestrates a terrific boxing match between Bucky and Lee early in the film. There's a signature De Palma tracking shot when the Dahlia's body is discovered at the same time a big shootout begins to occur. Late in the film, the director includes a suspense sequence set within a shadowy spiral staircase. Also unforgettable, is one of most awkward dinner parties you'll ever see on film. KD Lang performs in a lesbian night club! Finally, a reveal showcasing a performance that reaches Norma Desmond proportions!
Brian De Palma assembled all this from a dense and complicated screenplay, and still manages to let the actors to act. He somehow allows quiet moments and scenes between characters to play out without rushing or over-editing. And the film is still only 2 hours and 2 minutes long. Honestly, De Palma's work here is miraculous. It's unfortunate that so many critics trashed him instead of appreciating what he was able to do with such high degree of difficulty.
It's also unfortunate that many will never go back to reassess the film because they won't have the patience to understand the confusing bits. The 1946 noir THE BIG SLEEP was also notoriously confusing but is at least considered a classic. Sadly, THE BLACK DAHLIA will probably never get a second chance.
It may not be perfect. The miscasting of Madeleine is my biggest issue and feels like a significant misstep. If they had nailed that role, I might rate this 4/4. That's how much I enjoyed everything else about the film.
Viewers need to know the movie isn't really about the Dahlia. In fact she's not the only mystery within the film. It's more about Bucky, his relationships and his job as detective. Also don't go in expecting THE UNTOUCHABLES either. That was light and breezy compared the THE BLACK DAHLIA. This is Brian De Palma's homage to film noir. It's hard boiled and somber...but also has depth and soul.
To my own surprise, I give THE BLACK DAHLIA *** out of 4.
I don't mind telling you I was wrong about THE BLACK DAHLIA (2006). After two viewings, I ranked it in the cellar among Brian De Palma films. It was so confusing, I could enjoy no aspect of the film. Recently, however, I have a much better understanding of this story. All I needed was a pad, a pen, a pause button and to activate the subtitles.
While I can't say it's at the very top of my De Palma favs, it's much higher than before. Most of the information is actually in the film and faithful to the convoluted novel by James Ellroy. The rest is deliberately up for interpretation. Past that, it's a good screenplay. And without the confusion, one can finally enjoy the overall filmmaking.
THE BLACK DAHLIA's overall production is excellent. Given the film's harsh criticisms, it may come as a surprise to find out the Cinematography, Production Design, Costumes, Editing and Score have all received accolades from various sources. De Palma and team did a nice job recreating 40's L.A. even though much filming was in Bulgaria.
Some critics thought Josh Harnett was miscast, but Aaron Eckhart was great. Others thought it was Eckhart who was miscast and Hartnett was fine. You know something is up when the critics can't even get THAT straight.
I believe Josh had the perfect look and narration voiceover for the laconic noir hero Bucky, and Aaron was ideal as the hot-headed detective Lee, who isn't exactly what he seems...a Kirk Douglas type as De Palma put it.
Scarlett Johansson is a fan of Brian De Palma and fought to play Kay, a character with secrets but good intentions. While she didn't physically fit the description as written in James Ellroy's novel, she embodies the kind of shapely blonde "good girl with a shady past" perfectly. Johansson brings softness and charisma to the role.
De Palma chose Hilary Swank to play the femme fatale Madeleine because he's a fan and it's a role against type for her. However, she looks nothing like the Elizabeth Short, which is a VERY important subplot to the story. To her credit, Swank delivers a very 40's style sultry performance. She nails the upper class accent and looks great. But it is difficult for me to get past the fact she looks nothing like Short, even when dressed in all black.
Speaking of Short, perhaps the strongest casting choice is Mia Kirshner as Elizabeth, aka the Black Dahlia. An absolutely brilliant decision to include scenes of her audition with a seedy director (voiced by De Palma himself). Mia gives her character and the film so much so much soul. Without Mia's performance, Short would have been just a victim. The subject of an investigation. But Mia brings something very special to the whole endeavor. One can't help but wonder if De Palma at least considered casting Mia as BOTH Elizabeth and Madeleine. He's done that sort of thing before and I think she would have killed both parts.
The set pieces: You almost forget that Brian De Palma is an excellent action director and he orchestrates a terrific boxing match between Bucky and Lee early in the film. There's a signature De Palma tracking shot when the Dahlia's body is discovered at the same time a big shootout begins to occur. Late in the film, the director includes a suspense sequence set within a shadowy spiral staircase. Also unforgettable, is one of most awkward dinner parties you'll ever see on film. KD Lang performs in a lesbian night club! Finally, a reveal showcasing a performance that reaches Norma Desmond proportions!
Brian De Palma assembled all this from a dense and complicated screenplay, and still manages to let the actors to act. He somehow allows quiet moments and scenes between characters to play out without rushing or over-editing. And the film is still only 2 hours and 2 minutes long. Honestly, De Palma's work here is miraculous. It's unfortunate that so many critics trashed him instead of appreciating what he was able to do with such high degree of difficulty.
It's also unfortunate that many will never go back to reassess the film because they won't have the patience to understand the confusing bits. The 1946 noir THE BIG SLEEP was also notoriously confusing but is at least considered a classic. Sadly, THE BLACK DAHLIA will probably never get a second chance.
It may not be perfect. The miscasting of Madeleine is my biggest issue and feels like a significant misstep. If they had nailed that role, I might rate this 4/4. That's how much I enjoyed everything else about the film.
Viewers need to know the movie isn't really about the Dahlia. In fact she's not the only mystery within the film. It's more about Bucky, his relationships and his job as detective. Also don't go in expecting THE UNTOUCHABLES either. That was light and breezy compared the THE BLACK DAHLIA. This is Brian De Palma's homage to film noir. It's hard boiled and somber...but also has depth and soul.
To my own surprise, I give THE BLACK DAHLIA *** out of 4.