Review of Black Dahlia (2006) by Anu T — 15 Jul 2008

Excellent production design and lighting, and a fine subtle performance from Mia Kershner (albeit only in home movie flashbacks) are the only redeeming features in a garbled and overwrought attempt to bring another labyrinthine Ellroy novel to the screen.

Hartnett simply doesn't have the presence to carry this type of movie, and Johansson plays her entire role by staring wistfully at other characters while they speak. Swank's Dorothy Parker-style performance grates and even Eckhart vacillates wildly between scenes. Just when you thought you had all the bad actors together, Fiona Shaw puts them all to shame with the most embarrassing ham acting seen in an age.

So, apart from the script and the actors, a good movie.