Review of The Black Dahlia (2006) by Florian R — 01 Dec 2010

Let's get it out of the way from the start. This movie was almost universally panned by the critics and bombed at the box office. I really don't understand why. Yes, the plot is a bit overly complex, yes the acting is a bit wooden and yes the script is a bit pulpy but I think that is the point.

The whole movie has its tongue firmly in it's cheek and is surely a send up of Raymond Chandler and film noir classics. Perhaps the fact that the gruesome murder featured was a real case that to this day remains unsolved makes this just too unpalatable?

I think the cast is superb and Josh Hartnett comfortably deadpans his way through the film as revelation after revelation is heaped upon him.

The plot relies heavily on coincidence and Agatha Christie style improbable revelations but put that aside and let the gorgeous visuals wash over you and just go with it and you'll find much to enjoy.

Hilary Swank oozes lesbian menace (not a sentence I ever thought I'd write), Aaron Eckhart and Scarlett Johansson work well and Fiona Shaw is delightful as the dipsomaniac mother who's outburst over dinner is a genuine laugh out loud moment.

I really think that this is an under appreciated movie, maybe more suited to an art house crowd but definitely not the turkey some would have you believe.