Review of A Scanner Darkly (2006) by Sabra E — 09 Jun 2010

This is a weird movie. The style of filming was used in ads for a while, to ride on the "edginess" of a simple technique that reduces the colors of a digital film from gradients to blotches. Anyone who's fooled around with photoshop has probably done the same effect.

This movie takes place in a near-future society, with a lot held-over from today. The main focus of the movie is telling a story about a special kind of cop, and some drug traffickers. Downey is an excellent actor, but the mannerisms of his character are only appreciated by art house movie patrons. I thought it didn't convey anything important about the character, even if the spastic gestures gave contrast to the calmness of the rest of the troupe. Keanu does do some decent acting, in expressing himself, but still basically has no method for connecting the audience to the character. In a storytelling style reminiscent of David Lynch, there are points where the viewer's sense of reality is distorted. Characters are largely un-compelling until you reach a unique plot twist.

There's an amazing thing about the effect of anonymity suits in this film, in which the different attributes of a person constantly change, but the facial expressions and body movements are your own. The only downside is that body movement is still quite clear, and in the case of some actors, this gives away who is inside.

I have to say, although they're made to look weird by the CGE, Winona Ryder's breasts in this film do look sensational. She isn't completely nude, but you do get to see her breasts, and as a guy, I can't help but think breasts are a delight. And as a bit of a Winona Ryder fan, I consider her very beautiful, so getting to enjoy a full view of her topless is a depraved treat.

The ending will have you more depressed than watching or reading Kafka, and almost as confused. In fact, up until the end, the movie gets interesting. It's a weird movie, with a weird ending, and will have you asking questions about society and reality. It's "slit your wrist to cheer yourself up" depressing, and even the glorious girls of Winona Ryder can't save this film from being put on my list of movies that would play big in the city, with people who are disparate, and with stoners, but not with typical movie goers or academics (excepting the academic stoners). My advice, rent virtually anything by Welles, Hitchcock, or Kubrick, and you'll have spent your time better. Sure you might have to deal with black and white, and strange moments that might make it unclear what's going on, or points that scare the pee out of you, but it won't give you as much of a headache, and the acting will almost always be better than A Scanner Darkly.