Review of Black Dahlia (2006) by David L — 01 Jan 2013

Indeed there is some achievement in the atmosphere of the Age of Noir dramas. It makes it worth watching for the first part of the film, but once you try and go into the story, every decent part of the film that presents itself is starting to get overshadowed by various confusing storytelling corners we're pulled through. At some point, when we're halfway through the story, you basically wanna jump outta the chair and yell: "Where's that freaking murder investigation we're supposed to follow?!".

Detailing plot points, through some odd editing and camera views, about semi-relationships, shallow portrayals of the 1940's L.A. and the presence of the Mafia-influence on the city, and not very interesting characters with question marks hanging over them as to what purpose they honestly serve, is not the way to keep a spectators attention. Every turn in events the movie makes, is leaving us hanging in confusion and we barely get to think about it, before we've turned 180 degrees towards another meaningless situation or event, and have to wonder again: "How does this in any way relate to our murder investigation?".

It appears the murder of the Black Dahlia was one of the greatest murder mysteries of that decade - perhaps in the history of L.A. - so how come it's not worth focusing every second of that movie, and the development of our characters, on that? For a film called "The Black Dahlia", I must admit to find it very illogical to have us spend so much time on meaningless events that have no relation to the actual murder or the following investigation into it.