| Overall Grade: |
A+ |
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| Story: |
A+ |
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| Acting: |
A+ |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A+ |
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The O.C. Confidential
by Eric (movies profile)
Feb 28, 2008
11
of
12 people found this review helpful
There's a dead girl in a drainage ditch, her ex-boyfriend wanting answers. Noir has been mistakenly percieved to be about the flash and flair of stilted dialogue and showy costumes. That's just the window dressing of what noir is really about. This genre of film long-considered dead isn't about the destination, but the journey, about answers to burning questions, of obsessions that cannot be tamed without information.
Rian Johnson understood that when he wrote and directed the brilliant Brick, a film noir that has all the right moves, but also has something more as well: the spirit of the genre. It doesn't merely dust off the shoes and wear them, but master the shoes and make them truly sparkle. It keeps you wrapped up in it's web of truths and half-truths with precision in storytelling and never lets go until the very end. Using a peculiar setting to play off the genre: a modern-day high school in the trend-setting Orange County area.
Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) gets a call from his ex-girlfriend Emily (Emilie de Ravin) stating she's in a lot of trouble. Two days later, she's found dead in a drainage ditch. Brendan wants to know who put her there, who killed her, and why. Using his contact Brain (Matt O'Leary) and using leverage with the Vice Principal (Richard Roundtree), he sets up the sting to bring down a small-time drug pusher named The Pin (Lucas Haas) and his right-hand man Tug (Noah Fleiss). But like any caper, there's a dangerous woman involved. Her name is Laura (Nora Zehetner), who is definately trouble in a red kimono and a legion of men at her command. Much blood will be spilt over his pursuit of Emily's killer (or killers?), and quite a bit of it will be his own.
From a story perspective, these characters talk and act in a way that I would believe them to. They're not playing Maltese Falcon, they are IN the same land of Maltese Falcon. But yet, considering the fact that teenagers naturally find trends in speech, would it be so difficult to believe that kids won't speak like this eventually, if not already? And then there's the great scene with Richard Roundtree that hits all the right notes and will have you cheering as Brenden declares "I gave you Jerr to see him eaten, not to see you fed". And yet I never doubt the fullness of their characters. There is never one person that felt like a cardboard cutout to service the plot. That yes, Brain does supply any loose ends in the back plot, he's a trusty friend and a guy who gets his kicks being Brendan's go-to guy. Yes, The Pin is a drug lord, but does that not mean that he isn't reasonable or sometimes a nice guy?
This film has some great casting choices for it's main leads. Gordon-Levitt has the star status due to his time on television, but he's also a very quiet and disturbing figure to watch, as we realize just how much rage is seeping out. If he were any less controlled, he would be dangerous and violent. Nora Zehetner as Laura is also an inspired choice as she plays the femme fatale and allows her to be really good in the arts of seduction and survival.
But the real genius behind this film is Rian Johnson, who takes what he knows and loves and turns it into a top-notch thriller with great character moments and genuine good-time appeal. He masters great scenes of action and intregue with great master shots and sequences that leave you breathless. Seduction isn't done with sex appeal as much as with looks, guestures, and dialogue. It leaves me with an exciting feeling in my stomach as to what he'll come up with on his next project.
All in all, this is the first excellent film I've seen so far this summer. If you are so lucky to be near a theatre that shows this film, don't wait. And if you're not, the DVD will be coming soon. Oh, and don't let the bulls tag your gat as you bounce the burg. |
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