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"What DOES The
Scanner See?" |
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Directed by Richard
Linklater - Written by
Philip K. Dick, Richard
Linklater
Starring Robert Downey,
Jr., Woody Harrelson,
Winona Ryder, Keanu
Reeves
Distributed by Warner
Independent - 2006 -
100mins - Rated R |
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What does a scanner see? |
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“A
Scanner Darkly” is a really cool movie.
I cannot think of another way to describe it.
Although there is no action, no especially relatable characters, no
climax, no beginning and a lot of mind boggling questions that remain
unanswered, this is one of the most intriguing experiences I have ever
had in a movie theatre.
Strange, no?
The story is based on yet another Phillip K. Dick story and it’s about
a subject that was very close to the author’s heart…drug abuse and its
consequences. As the end credits make very clear, Dick lost a lot of
friends to drugs and through science fiction, he attempted to make a
statement.
Keanu Reeves stars as an undercover cop who lives with his stoner
friends and wears an identity-protecting suit that constantly changes
his appearance to work so his identity can no be found out. His
friends are played by Robert Downey Jr. and Woody Harrelson; his
girlfriend by Winona Ryder. The story gets going when Reeves’
character is assigned to investigate himself… after all, his police
peers don’t know his true identity. From there, story takes a backseat
to some of the most bizarre characters and situations I have seen on
film this year.
Director Richard Linklater employs a process that I believe is called
“rotoscoping,” where the film is shot with live actors and than drawn
over in post production to create a strange sort of animation. This
process was also used in Linklater’s equally mind-boggling by
infinitely worse film, “Waking Life.” The effect works. What we’re
seeing is more realistic than normal animation, but just surreal
enough to look a little “off.” We’re seeing the story through the eyes
of men and women whose reality is slipping away from them. It’s not
only appropriate but it’s just…cool.
What’s also great about rotoscoping is that the performances of the
actors shine through quite well. Reeves is actually really good (!)
here and I hope to see more from him in this type of film. Ryder and
Harrelson are also fine, but it is Robert Downey Jr. who steals the
film with his performance as the hyperactive, know-it-all, traitorous
and unstable Barris. If I ran the Oscars, he’d get a nomination.
Why can’t I recommend this one higher? For the exact reasons that make
it unique. It’s so far out there and that it never achieves genuine
humanity. I wanted to care for these characters, but I was observing
them, not liking them (Downey Jr. is the exception here, I loved him,
but he really isn’t that essential to the overall movie). Also the
movie’s conclusion is vague and very, very, VERY open ended. I like
these endings, but it didn’t earn it.
Still, this is a trippy and fun movie that’s probably playing at your
local art house theatre and will be well worth the cash. It’s
inventive and unique science fiction…this is for the “Dark City”
crowd, not the “Star Wars” crowd.
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© Written by Jacob Hall
E-Mail me with your comments! |
TC Candler's Comment
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