A Scanner Darkly
Tuesday, 22 Aug 2006 11:01
An animated Keanu Reeves is anything but wooden
Directed by Richard Linklater, out now at cinemas, starring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr, Winona Ryder and Woody Harrelson, running time 100 minutes.
In a nutshell
Edgy, thought-provoking, dark, complex, stunning.
What's it all about?
The film is based on the cult bestselling novel by the science-fiction author Philip K Dick, which draws on his own experiences of drug abuse. His previous work adapted for the big screen includes Blade Runner, Total Recall and Minority Report.
Based seven years into the future, the main character, played by Keanu Reeves, leads a double life as an undercover narcotics agent, codenamed Fred, and as Bob Arctor, an addict of the drug Substance D.
The film weaves a cunning plot, making you feel the same paranoia and confusion as Fred/Bob Arctor experiences himself when he has to use surveillance to spy on himself and his friends.
This paranoid journey is further enhanced by director Richard Linklater’s use of an animation process called "interpolated rotoscoping", previously used by Linklater on his film Waking Life, which involves using normal digital video and then overlaying it with animation.
Who's in it?
Keanu Reeves is accompanied by an all-star cast. Robert Downey Jr, well known for his own personal battle with drug addictions, and Woody Harrelson play his friends and fellow drug addicts.
Harrelson plays the typical stoner type of role as Ernie Luckman, while Downey Jr gives a fantastic performance as the quick-witted, comic and threatening James Barris.
The film also sees a brilliant return to the big screen for Winona Ryder, who plays Donna Hawthorne, a fellow addict and love interest of Bob Arctor. Following a string of flops, the previously twice Oscar nominated actress is back on form.
As an example…
In voiceover, Fred/Bob Arctor contemplates: "What does a scanner see? Into the head? Down into the heart? Does it see into me? Into us? Clearly or darkly? I hope it sees clearly because I can't any longer see into myself. I see only murk. I hope for everyone's sake the scanners do better, because if the scanner sees only darkly the way I do, then I'm cursed and cursed again."
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
Guaranteed. Although deemed as more of an art house kind of film, the all-star cast, as well as the groundbreaking use of interpolated rotoscoping, is sure to attract mainstream audiences to the cinema. I would maybe even tip Robert Downey Jr for a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
What the others say
"A Scanner Darkly is a bad trip, but one well worth taking, just so long as you can keep your head straight for the duration and find your way back home afterwards." Channel 4 Film Review
"A Scanner Darkly may be murky, but it deserves to be seen through." Mark Samuels, Total Film
"It might be one of the best Philip K Dick adaptations ever told." Filmfocus.co.uk
So is it any good?
The film is mind blowing. Linklater takes you through a giddy ride of drug addiction, exemplified with dreamlike animation.
Reeves cannot be accused of being wooden, like he has been in past film roles, although he could do with a coat of gloss on his performance. Both Downey Jr and Harrelson add a touch of dark humour – to an already dark, dark film – needed to lighten the film.
This humour actually relaxes the audience before administering the final hit at the end of the film, leaving you feeling as disillusioned and anguished as Reeves’ character. This is only added to when the film credits keep true to the end of Philip K Dick’s book and lists “all the people who were punished entirely too much for what they did”.
This film is a must, whether you’re a science fiction fan, an animation fan, a Keanu Reeves fan, or just a movie fan.
8.5/10
Elaine Samson
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