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A
Scanner Darkly
(2006)
 
Philip K. Dick's futuristic, semi-autobiographical
novel published in 1977 is finally brought to the screen, and
fans of the novel couldn't ask for a better adaptation.
The setting is Anaheim, California in the year 2013 (1994 in
the novel). Fred (Keanu Reeves) is an undercover police officer
investigating a drug dealer. Bob is the drug dealer being investigated
by Fred. The only problem is that Fred and Bob are the same
person. Prolonged use of the drug Substance D to maintain his
cover has created a split in Fred's mind, causing him to live
two separate and very different lives without knowing it. As
he and his friends (Winona Ryder, Robert Downey Jr, Woody Harrelson,
Rory Cochrane) spiral further into dimentia, the lines between
reality and hallucination blur to a level rarely seen or experienced
outside the film.
Director/screenwriter Richard Linklater's adaptation of Dick's
novel is a dramatically and philosophically compelling movie,
and is also visually unique. Linklater filmed his actors digitally
and then each frame was rotoscoped. Unlike motion capture,
in which the actor's movements are used as the basis for the
animated characters, rotoscoping is animated on top of the
actor's full performance, allowing movements and facial expressions
to be completely realistic (or in the case of this film's star,
his one facial expression). I wasn't sold on the animation
style in previews, but after seeing the finished film, I think
it works brilliantly and lends the story an entirely appropriate
hallucinatory quality. This is also the most faithful screen
version of a Dick novel or story in terms of narrative and
tone.
Jokes about his one facial expression aside, Keanu Reeves gives
an excellent performance, one of his best ever. Robert Downey
Jr. and Woody Harrelson are also perfectly cast, and at times
hilarious, as Bob's drugged out roommates. It's especially
good to see Downey Jr. getting good roles and giving great
performances again. Rory Cochrane is interesting as a friend
suffering from severe mental damage from Substance
D use. Winona Ryder gives her best performance since the last
century as Donna, Bob's girlfriend (of sorts) and a person
of interest in Fred's investigation.
Not only is this brilliant film the most faithful screen adaptation
of a work by the prolific and influential Philip K. Dick, it's
also one of the best films of 2006 to date and a milestone
in the careers of all involved.
-Danielle
Ní Dhighe
Other
Thoughts: Mark Moreland
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All contents ©
2004-2009 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
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Director:
Richard
Linklater
Writer: Richard
Linklater, Philip K. Dick
Starring: Keanu
Reeves, Robert Downey Jr, Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder, Rory Cochrane
Distributor: Warner
Independent Pictures
Runtime: 100
min
Rating: R
Release Date: July
28, 2006
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