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Movie Review .....
The Black Dahlia

  • In theaters September 15th 2006
  • Rated R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language
  • RunTime: 121 min
  • Website
  • Matt's rating - 2 out of 5
  • Cindy's rating - 1 out of 5

Matt's Review

This has been a month for movies involving the elements of classic Hollywood and murder mystery. The new film, The Black Dahlia, from famed director Brian De Palma (Dressed to Kill, Scarface, The Untouchables, and Carrie) is a long, overdramatic flick that raises good questions regarding cast vs. content.

Based on the novel by James Ellroy which recounted the 1940 murder involving unknown actress Elizabeth Short the story is more about the two cops assigned to the case than it is the actual murder. This may be part of the failing of this film. The other downfall is the length. A tick over two hours is several ticks too many in a story that comes across more as an attempt to revive a campy film style than a stylistic murder mystery. I can’t blame the cast who I am pretty sure acted as directed.

  Ofcr. Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Sgt. Leland "Lee" Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) are the Batman and Robin of the 1940's LAPD. Known as fire and ice they are the ones kicking butt and taking names. Put on the case of a slaughtered, disemboweled starlet (Mia Kirshner) who has been branded by the media as the Black Dahlia they must find out the secret to her gruesome death. There are also side stories involving Lee's girlfriend (Scarlett Johansson) plus a strange, rich, chick (Hilary Swank) who looks a lot like the murder victim. Or so they say.

  Besides Swank, none of the remaining cast are able to overcome the over the top directing that is beyond campy. It’s all made worse by the music swells and filming that worked in the 40's but now is just humorous and distracting. Palma is a better director than this finished product. It isn’t even a bad story. It could have been intriguing but many times you feel lost and forget that there was a murder at all as it focuses on the life and relationships of the two cops. A focus that is shallow and riddled with holes.

  Rated R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language it is not for the youngsters in your troupe. Fans of Hartnett and Johansson may suffer through but it is painful at times to watch. If I had not seen Scarlett in past films I would swear she was the worst actress ever. Knowing that isn’t the case I have to put the fault on the directing. Or maybe this just isn’t her gig. I Give the Dahlia 2 out of 5 hustles. I was totally disappointed in what I thought would be a well done film. I’m Matt Mungle

 

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Matt Mungle