Review of A Scanner Darkly (2006) by Brad B — 04 Oct 2009

Where do I start? Okay, you have Richard Linklater directing a movie based on a novel by Phillip K. Dick starring Robert Downey Jr. in one of the most out-there roles I've ever seen along with '90s actors Keanu Reeves, Woody Harrelson, Winonna Ryder and Rory Chochrane all playing future stoners addicted to a drug called SUBSTANCE D, on top of that; paranoia and rotoscope animation. I feel like I just smoked some funky weed.

Is there a plot to this movie? I think there is. From what I can tell Keanu's character , who is always undercover and no one he works with knows his identity, is assigned to spy on his friends and himself. His friends live with him while he knows that there are surveillance cameras watching them at all times......this is what I was told.

The plot slowly movies along and sometimes stops altogether, especially with the drug-induced philosophy speak coming from Downey. I had to watch it a few times to get what was going on.

Rory Cochrane as Freck is the most appealing character in this movie. While everyone around him is going insane and having demented sexual thoughts, he is just in the background watching wondering what's going on in his fried brain.

Overall, this movie isn't bad. Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it enjoyable? Yes. Just don't be suffering from ADD or ADHD because there are several stories going on at once.