I stumbled over Brick a couple years ago on a movie store shelf. It had me at Dashiell Hammett-esque, then threw in Joseph Gordon-Levitt and a Sundance Film Festival award for good measure. And Rian Johnson starring as my hero.
I’m not sure how to explain this movie. The closest I can get would be to ask if you’ve ever watched a Shakespearian ‘update.’ Not the West Side Story or 10 Things I Hate About You* types. The Ethan Hawke Hamlet or Romeo + Juliet type. These movies place the traditional lines and feel over contemporary outfits, characters and emotions. Neither of those latter two, however, do it with anywhere near the success of Brick, which has modern highschoolers deliver noir lines and attitude.
It took me a few minutes to get past the blunt contradiction of worlds and get into the performances, writing, and audacious underworld feel. It doesn’t have an incredible amount of plot substance . . . but as old movies know, when done right, style can conquer substance. (Modern movies seem to think lavish amounts of money can conquer substance – thus we have Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen and Terminator: Salvation and Fast & Furious etc etc ad nauseum.)
If you don’t like old-school noir films, you won’t like this movie.
If you do like old-school noir films, this movie may offend your sensibilities. There’s no accounting for taste.
If you have never tried old-school noir movies, you should start. With Brick, or with one of these. Or all of the above.
Life is short: no time for moderation.
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*Common Denominator Alert. Also, see (500) Days of Summer, which is what brought Brick to mind for this post today.
grassrootsmovement
Posted by Heather M. on Saturday, 11 July, 09 at 14:41
I’ve been going back and forth on (500) Days. Started out in the “no” camp, since I’m jealous of Zooey (every man I know loves her). Saw a trailer before Away We Go and wandered to the “yes” camp. Saw Zooey on The Tonight Show and wandered back to “no.” Now your blog post makes me eye “yes” again.
Darn it, universe! Make up your mind!
Posted by grassrootsmovement on Saturday, 11 July, 09 at 23:17
Allow me to be the universe (please, no fat jokes).
Waver not a moment longer. Simply go.
I have, in fact, been waiting for this movie since . . . well it hasn’t been (500) days, but I heard about it last summer, and have been impat . . . eagerly anticipating it ever since.
Posted by dale on Monday, 20 July, 09 at 0:46
just finished watching this.
it took me a bit to be ok with the movie being set at Noir High, but after i suspended that bit of disbelief, the movie was fantastic.
and, thanks, by the way. i’ve been enjoying your goodie bag all day.