The Black Dahlia
Monday, 18 Sep 2006 09:06
The Black Dahlia is a classic investigative thriller
Directed by Brian De Palma, out now, starring Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart and Hillary Swank, running time 125 minutes.
In a nutshell…
Gripping, neo noir, crime drama.
What's it all about?
The film is based on James Ellroy’s novel which is itself fictionalised from the real life events of an unsolved crime in 1947.
Teamed together due to their fame as prize fighters, Officer Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Sergeant Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) are the police force’s pin-up boys. Success comes readily until the brutal murder of aspiring young actress Elizabeth Short brings back haunting memories of past battle scars.
Officer Bleichert soon finds that his investigation leads him to all corners of the city and all parts of society. However, perhaps some of the answers he seeks are to be found in the midsts of those he holds closest to him. Meanwhile his partner, Sergeant Blanchard, is trying his best to protect those who he thinks need it most.
There is many a double cross, but then this is the world of noir and nobody is going to give it to you straight.
Who's in it?
Josh Hartnett’s strong, silent-type cop lacks the laconic charisma needed to excel in the role but he does not let himself down. Aaron Eckhart’s more role is more dynamic, as is his performance, and he imbues his character with the spirit of a man who has been around the block a few times.
Hillary Swank shimmers as the duplicitous femme fatale, Madeleine Linscott and steals almost every scene she is in. However, Scarlett Johansson fails to evoke the memory of Rita Haworth as she is unable to add the requisite emotion to her mentally scarred character, Kay Lake.
As an example…
“You lied to me.” - Officer Bucky Bleichert
“I lied for you.” - Kay Lake
“Poor Betty, her problem wasn’t too many enemies it was too many friends.” - Sheryl Saddon
“I don’t get modern art.” - Officer Bucky Bleichert
“I doubt modern art gets you either.” - Madeleine Linscott
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
The film was nominated for the Golden Lion at the 2006 Venice Film Festival, which was won last year by Brokeback Mountain, so it has a good chance of some success. Hillary Swank could add to her collection of gongs in a best supporting actress category.
What the others say
“You don't come to De Palma for smooth or high-toned cinema, after all. You come for the gleam of a dagger, the shapely silhouette of a femme fatale, a sickening spray of blood and teeth in the boxing ring…Don’t miss.” - Tim Robey, Telegraph.co.uk
“Compared with LA Confidential (both based on novels by James Ellroy), it also lacks momentum and final resounding impact.” - Stella Papamichael, BBCi Films
So is it any good?
De Palma recreates all of the atmosphere that was prevalent in The Untouchables and transposes it into this classy neo-noir.
Some have been critical of the convoluted nature of the plot; however, the same accusation was levelled at the legendary Big Sleep and while The Black Dahlia lacks the cutting dialogue that Raymond Chandler provided, it is endowed with all of the motifs and subtexts that a significant noir ought to.
The culmination is a little drawn out and the overacting of Fiona Shaw, who plays Madeleine’s mother, is reprehensible. Aside from this the film is an excellent addition to the genre and a superior whodunnit, artistically made with style and panache.
Although the plot may sprawl too much for modern audiences it is because of the sheer amount of action that is unravelling before us. It is gripping right until the end and full of intrigue.
8 /10
Dominic Beaumont 
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