Review of The Singing Detective (2003) by Simo R — 19 Jan 2009

It seems that many writers are at their best, when writing about writing. And the genius who is Dennis Potter is no exception.

While not too original as a 'mixing one's life with one's work of art' or a 'losing one's mind and hallucinating' movie, the film is a marvellous piece of 'traumatizing childhood' story. Resembling partly Potter's own life (he also suffered from psoriasis) it's really and truthfully emotional, meaning not the kind of sniffy melodrama but rather a colourful carnival of stronger emotions.

I have not seen the series, which makes it sadly impossible for me to compare the two, but this was nice. Mel Gibson did the weirdest (and possibly the best) role I have seen him in as the balding shrink and the scene with the word game is just a perfect way of subtly contrasting the main character with his saviour of sorts.

The corny name: Danny Dark, really sets a good vibe. It kind of justifies the lengths where Robert Downey Jr.'s character and his mind goes.

I didn't really enjoy the music too much, but it's just due to it's kind and not hearing the lyrics too well most of the time. The DVD didn't even have English subtitling for me. :<.