Review of Black Dahlia (2006) by Jim M — 25 Jan 2010

1947: Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert and Lee Blanchard, both ex-boxers, partners who met during LA's Zoot Suit Riots of 1943, are drawn into the investigation of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short dubbed by the media as "The Black Dahlia". For both men finding the killer will become an obsession as both their lives spiral out of control and Bleichert finds his sanity and his soul tested by in a city of vice and corruption.

Using the infamous and unsolved murder as it's starting point, we see less of the investagation then one would suspect, instead watching Bleichert's journey throw the web of sex, lies and corruption. Directed by Brian DePalma, which means its pretty to look at, the story based on a James Elroy novel does become a bit muddled (Elroy praised DePalma's original 3 hour cut, but refused to comment on the released version), with a few head scratching moments at the end. Stars Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckart, Scarlett Johansson, Mia Kirshner, Hilary Swank and a butt load of character actors, and well everyone looks great in period garb, the character actors (particularly John Kavanagh as a construction tycoon) come across as the most meorable, though Hilary Swank looks good in a black dress. Not much to recommend the film though, rent it if you like the trailer, or catch it on tv, you can do much better then this, then again you can also do much worse.