Flix Chick

A Scanner Darkly

No doubt I will lose a few geek points for admitting that I didn’t know much about the Philip K. Dick book, A Scanner Darkly. I don’t know why but it just passed me by and that meant that I didn’t really know what to expect when I was taken to see A Scanner Darkly Sometimes though, I think it is actually good to go into a film without knowing too much about it. These days most films have been reviewed so many times before you see them that you almost know too much to make your own unbiased opinion of the film. Anyway, I am glad I was taken to see A Scanner Darkly because I have to say that it may well be the best film I have seen so far this year.

The real star of the film is the style in which it was shot. The rotoscope method of animation used really does bring the film to life in an amazing way. From the first moment of the film I felt as if I had jumped into a graphic novel and that feeling stayed with me until the final frame. The characters felt real as they were moving with the real timing of the actors and in some ways their movements actually felt less stifled than those often provided by an actor in a normal film.

The gist of A Scanner Darkly is that in the not too distant future, the city of Los Angles is in the middle of a battle against a highly addictive drug called “D”. “D” it taking hold of the minds of the population and a drug squad has been set up to try to tackle the problem. Keanu Reeves plays Bob Arctor, a undercover drug officer that has been given an alternative identity where he is known as “Fred” and sent in to spy on a house occupied by drug users. Bob Arctor’s identity is hid from even his employers through the use of a scramble suit that prevents his true image from being seen. While spying on this groups, Arctor has himself become addicted to “D” and the film follows his growing paranoia and the effect it has had on his mind. It is difficult to say much more without giving away too many spoilers.

Oddly, Keanu Reeves is more animated (in more ways than one) in A Scanner Darkly than he has ever been. I thought for a bit about this and figured out that it was because the animimator moved the face muscles that Reeves doesn’t use when he normally acts. It is amazing how just a little bit of facial movement can change an actor’s performance. However, the real stars of the film are Robert Downey, Jr. and Woody Harrelson who both play members of the drug house. Some of the conversations between their two characters are good that they will no doubt be quoted by geeks throughout the world in coming months. It was interesting to watch Robert Downey, Jr. in a film about drug usage because every time I watch him act I curse him for doing so many drugs and not acting enough. He is simply a fantastic actor.

A Scanner Darkly is going to be one of those films that isn’t going to be for everyone. As the end credits started the woman sitting behind me said “I, don’t get it”. I didn’t think it was at all hard to get but I am sure that for everyone that thinks it is a classic there will be two that hated it. I think it is destine to be a cult classic and I am going to be sure to read the book and gain back my geek points.

Interestingly, I see from reading IMDB that George Clooney is one of the executive producers of A Scanner Darkly. Yet another case that is showing that George Clooney is connecting himself to some the most interesting film projects going. I never would have guessed all those years ago when he was in Return of the Killer Tomatoes that he would turn out to be such a visionary.

I just hope that when Oscars time comes around that A Scanner Darkly gets the attention it deserves for special effects and doesn’t end up like Sin City that got snubbed in the nominations last year.