Review of Brick (2006) by Erin D — 18 Nov 2011

"Tell me about the trouble with the BRICK..".

An insanely stylish and flawlessly executed first-rate, post-modern, mystery thriller and film noir from Director Rian Johnson ( The Brother's Bloom). A thoroughly well-directed and brilliantly shot film that creates a perfect noir atmosphere and infuses it with a gripping detective story. This is the modern noir at it's best, everything in this film is compelling from the locations, the camera angles, the lighting, the story and the acting. Rian Johnson and company did a brilliant job of twisting up a riveting mystery one that's both intriguing and unpredictable. It's slick, its flashy and it oozes with style during every scene from beginning to end. Cativating, intelligent, cerebral, atmospheric, addicting and just plain simple and good old fashioned fun from the suspenseful beginning to the shocking ending. It's violent, dark, brooding and bloody. Packed with snappy dialogue and trademark noir pizzaz. This one sucks you in quick and wraps you in a dysphoric but hynotizing blanket, you won't hit the pause button one single time. Even the music is great, it's a 1940's film noir filmed in the 90's and in color. Cheers to Rian Johnson and company for a job well done.

The cast is packed with talent including many up and coming A-listers at the time. Joseph Gordon-Levitt steals the show as a smooth talking, smart high schooler whom infiltrates the various social groups to find answers to a small town murder. The supporting roles a great as well including performances from Nora Zehetner and Noah Fleiss.