The Black Dahlia
THE BLACK DAHLIA: OVER THE TOP MESS
Brian De Palma’s The Black Dahlia is a long-winded mess of a story with silly subplots and bad acting. It is such a sad state of a movie as it had so much potential with its great director, big Hollywood stars, and adaptation from a James Ellroy (“L.A. Confidential) novel.
The story begins with the introduction of two police officers, Dwight “Bucky” Bleichart (Josh Hartnett) and Leland “Lee” Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart). Both of these policemen used to be boxers and get to show off their skills early in the film with a fixed boxing match. Kay Lake (Scarlett Johansson) is Lee’s girlfriend but also has eyes for Bucky. The movie is just as much about the trio’s relationship as it is about Elizabeth Short’s murder. Elizabeth Short (Mia Kirshner) was a struggling actress who was murdered in 1947 and her murder remains unsolved to this day. She had a reputation as a loose girl who could be seen around town with a lot of guys. When she shows up murdered at the site of one of Bucky and Lee’s crime investigations, they become emotionally involved. Other storylines involve how Lee and Kay came together and mystery woman Madeleine Linscott (Hilary Swank), someone who Bucky becomes involved with while investigating the murder.
The movie is too convoluted with subplots that could have been deleted. These subplots make the film cheesy and annoying. One example is Lee’s infatuation with the Black Dahlia’s murder, which is explained with a predictable answer. Another is Hilary Swank’s character and her connection to the murder victim. Everybody seems to think she looks like Elizabeth Short, but I don’t see the resemblance just because she dresses like her and has the same hairstyle. And she says things like, “Elizabeth and I made love once. I just did it to see what it would be like with someone who looked like me.” Nonetheless, the acting alone could have saved this movie but unfortunately its normally fine actors fell on their face. Scarlett Johansson, who was wonderful in films such as Lost in Translation and Ghost World, couldn’t seem to identify with her character. She was awkward with her body language (she couldn’t hold her cigarette with grace), her damsel in distress facial expressions were forced, and she looked unsure of herself the entire film. Aaron Eckhart, who has had a successful career in Hollywood playing nasty guys you love (Thank You for Smoking) was overdramatic with his police officer who wants to see all men who abuse women dead.
The movie could have been better for two straightforward reasons. One is to simplify the story. Get rid of the subplots. Actually focus on the murder investigation of the Black Dahlia. And second of all, let the actors become more comfortable with their characters so they come across naturally onscreen. The cast members are capable; maybe they just needed better direction.
So, why you ask, am I so harsh with this movie? I had been looking forward to this movie for over a year. I love film noir (please go see the underappreciated Brick to see what I’m talking about). I love Scarlett Johansson and Hilary Swank. I figured if they have a good director and a great novel adaptation, what could go wrong? But The Black Dahlia was not one of Brian De Palma’s best. You got lost with the story that was too complicated and the poor acting that made you laugh instead of feeling the darkness that should have been conveyed. James Ellroy knows how to write a good detective story. Just go watch L.A. Confidential.
Report Card:
Story-D
Acting-D
Visuals-C
Originality/Innovation-D
Enjoyability Grade –D
Overall Grade-D+
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