Review of Black Dahlia (2006) by Lynne N — 30 Sep 2008

Great to look at with fantastically detailed attention given to set, costume and props... but that's all I can say in favour of this movie. The script flounders and cannot be saved by the fantastic cast (and Scarlett Johansson) or the desperate attempts at post-modern noir.

What is Aaron Eckhart's motivation throughout the film and why does this case get so far under his skin? I've no idea and I'm pretty sure the script writers didn't know either. Some of the scenes made me really angry as well - I don't understand why some of the more erotic moments needed to be as long or as blatantly meant for the male gaze as they were.

We live in an age where people are often too afraid to protest about this kinda crap - in case we get accused of prudishness. It's nothing to do with offending my delicate sensibilities - I just think we too often confuse 'avant garde' with cheap thrills and controversy and they are not the same thing.

Where's the subtlety? Feminism did happen didn't it? The movie did make me want to read more around the historical case of poor Betty Ann Short. I suspect the movie uses more than a little poetic licence and I can't help but think it's a little disrespectful to the real-life victim who died a horrible, horrible death.