Review of Black Dahlia (2006) by Lee B — 18 Apr 2009

I?m not sure when Brian De Palma lost his talent for filmmaking. Was Casualties of War before or after Raising Cain? I?m too lazy to look it up. Either way, the last good movie he made was Raising Cain. It was campy, but served up just what you wanted.

The Black Dahlia had so much going for it when it was being made. Then it came out and fizzled at the box office. I wasn?t sure why, but I worries about Scarlett and Harnett in it. Then my wife watched it and said it was OK. I finally got to watch it and I can honestly say it sucked the big sweaty toe. I don?t know when De Palma lost control of being able to direct acting, but the only good acting performance in the movie was the girl who played the Black Dahlia. I?ve always wondered why people liked Scarlett?s acting. She was perfect for the role in Lost in Translation, but so was Ice Cube in Boyz n?the Hood. Harnett doesn?t add anything with the second worst VO work since Biehn in Deadfall (he?s still one of my favorite actors, but no prolonged VO work for him). And Eckhart disappoints. And Swank annoys, which I am not sure was the intention.

The story is too convoluted and doesn?t tie up as it should. I know it?s supposed to be a mystery movie, but it leave nothing to it. The only saving grace is the beautiful set pieces and look of the movie.