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Go See It ****(Four Stars) |
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This
intricate and complex journey was based on a true story,
actually the most scandalous unsolved murder in California
History. Starting with those facts and then fabricated and
elaborate ending, on a fictitious way to have solved the
murder, and this is that story based on the Novel written by
James Ellroy. |
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The premise is simple; Budding
actress Elizabeth Short (Mia
Kirshner) is brutally murdered. The two police
officers that try to solve the case are Officer Bucky
Bleichert (Josh
Hartnett) and Sgt. Lee Blanchard (Aaron
Eckhart). This is where the movie gets a bit
complex for the plot is intricate and tangled much like a
suspenseful novel should be, however as a movie some of the
side plots get a bit complicated and are somewhat confusing. |
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Even the relationships between
the three main characters is a bit blurry. Kay Lake (Scarlett
Johansson) is dating Sgt. Lee Blanchard (Aaron
Eckhart) and yet she keeps making passes at his
best friend and or partner Officer Bucky Bleichert (Josh
Hartnett). She goes as far as to tell Bucky
that she is in a sexless relationship and they are not
married for he has never slept with her. Yet he supports
her and puts her through school? Could she just be a really
attractive beard? The funny thing is the very beginning of
the movie started off with the feel of a gay romance movie,
and then she says he never has sex with him -- Leaves you to
wonder, yet this element of the movie was never explored or
developed after that. However this film had a huge lesbian
segment where they went to Lesbian bars hoping to solve
their murder. In one of these bars
K.D. Lang was singing
with an elaborate production. It was really beautiful, much
like a drag queen in talent competition. |
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The director
Brian De Palma was
capable of capturing the essence of classic movie magic. I
read somewhere that to truly enjoy one of his films you need
to watch it 3 times and the third time with no sound so you
can truly take in all his beauty and enjoy his cinematic
magic. I must agree with that statement even though I only
saw the movie once it was clearly an incredibly beautiful
film. |
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I must tell you that in my opinion the best character in
this film was Madeleine Linscott (Hilary
Swank) for she did an amazing job as the movies
Femme Fatale. She was both intricate and alluring all while
being the master manipulator. Madeleine says my favorite
line in the entire movie: "I think you would rather fuck me
then kill me, but you don't have the guts to do either."
She is also in my two favorite scenes (The dinner scene and
the balcony scene) yet the focus is really on her mother
Ramona Linscott (Fiona
Shaw) for this lady is Hilarious and plays a
crazy person perfectly. |
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There is a secret surprise
cameo from the exotic
Rose McGowan (Sheryl
Saddon) who fits perfectly into this period piece, I was
pleased with her scene. |
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If you like intricate murder
mystery stories or if you enjoy period pieces where it seems
everything was much more black and white than it is now then
this movie is something you must see immediately. It is
very good, I only suggest that you go with a clear mind for
it gets somewhat complicated rather quickly and you have to
pay attention. But you will like this movie. |
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 The
Black Dahlia
Drama, Thriller and Adaptation. A tale
of obsession, love, corruption, greed
and depravity that revolves around a true story of the
brutal murder of a fledgling Hollywood starlet that shocked
and fascinated the nation in 1947 and remains unsolved
today. Two ex-pugilist cops are called to investigate the
homicide of ambitious silver-screen B-lister Betty Ann
Short--A.K.A. "The Black Dahlia"--an attack so grisly that
images of the killing were kept from the public. While one's
growing preoccupation with the sensational murder threatens
his marriage, his partner finds himself attracted to the
enigmatic daughter of one of the city's most prominent
families-who just happens to have an unsavory connection to
the murder victim. Starring: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett
Johansson, Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, and Mia Kirshner. 2
hours. MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence, some grisly
images, sexual content and language).
Official Movie Site:
www.theblackdahliamovie.net |
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Sunrise Cinemas |
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Show Times at
Sunrise Cinemas and Muvico Theaters |
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