Review of Brick (2006) by Chris T — 27 Apr 2010

Film noir was one of cinemas most popular and most profitable genre or it uses to be back in the last stretch of the golden years in Hollywood (1940-1950). The last neo-noir the golden era pushed out was Orson Welles "Touch of Evil"(1958) while during its release, it was well received but it sadly failed to reignite the flame of a fading genre. Noir seemed almost dead until an up and coming director named Roman Polanski took on the dangerous task of trying to breathe new life into the deceased genre. I never thought it could be done someone being able to bring back one of cinema's most beloved genres but Polanski did it and his film "Chinatown"(1974) was the film that restarted the film noir genre. Launching a whole new era of Neo-Noir's (as they are called now) and changing the face of cinema forever. Many other films followed that tried and mostly on there part succeeded in creating a viable atmosphere and a plausible noirish story a few were Carl Franklin's "A Devil in a Blue Dress"(1991), Curtis Hanson's "L.A. Confidential"(1997). Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller's "Sin City"(2005) and the film that brought back the true style and feel of 40's and 50's Rian Johnson's "BRICK" a neo-noir that works better than it should and plays much older than it is. A noir that perfectly and effectively blends two of cinemas most potent genres teen films and film noir together to create a completely new sub genre the teen-noir.

Rian Johnson's "Brick" was recommended to me sometime lat year by a friend I remember her saying that it is a fantastic film and was definitely worth the watch. Well I procrastinated as I usually do and put this film on my watch list with about 200 hundred other and it just sat there waiting for the day that I would actually remember it and give it a watch, well today was that day. "BRICK" is a film so original and so old school you feel nostalgic from the opening of the film until the end. What makes "BRICK" a truly inspired piece of filmmaking is the dialogue, in a film the dialogue is everything and this film is no exception. Here the dialogue and the characters are driving this rather complex tale of murder, drugs and deception it's the kind of film that transcends its territory, setting itself amongst the keener and darker films of noirs past. "BRICK" is the perfect example of why a good genre cannot stay buried forever.

I loved its tenacious attitude, it dogged determination to its story and to its atmosphere and dialogue, I have watched many films and even more noirs but few have ever impressed me as thoroughly as Rian Johnson's "BRICK." It works despite obvious designs flaw taking on a genre that most directors would stay away from, but Rain Johnson is fearless and with that, he constructs a film that is homage as well as a new frontier in filmmaking.

I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt I think he has some very serious potential to be a fantastic actor he already is but he is young and still has not gained the recognition he deserves and "BRICK" is the perfect example of his talent being severely overlooked. Gordon-Levitt is tough, smart, witty, and cynical as the Shamus of our story Brendan Frye. Gordon-Levitt with the help of director Rian Johnson's direction and script evokes the old school traits of famous P.I.'s from the past such as Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe in fact his character Brendan Frye is a mash of both of those famous characters while also using a little of Bogart's style to make it even more believable. Gordon-Levitt is the perfect fit for the part as he slips into his role like putting on a pair of gloves or his favorite jacket. He does not over act and he does not under act he is just perfect, he glides through the role as he has done it a million times and comes out as a noir hero and a tough actor.

"BRICK" may not impress all due to the fact that it is so old fashioned in every aspect of its production. Then older moviegoers roughly between the ages of 45-60 may actually like this film as it may remind them of the old noirs of the past. It is the kind of film that is mainly overlooked due to the fact so few know of its existence and that keeps "BRICK" from being a true full-blown cult classic it gives you one of the most exhilarating and deeply rooted noir stories of the modern era.