100 movies, #11: Brick, directed by Rian Johnson (2005)
I've been hearing ever since this came out about how great it was, from folks whose judgment I generally trust. It rose to the top of my Netflix queue and, well, they're right.
The conceit is simple: take all the conventions of classic film noir or hardboiled detective fiction of the '30s-'50s, and put them into a modern Southern California high school. The main character is one of the relatively nerdy guys, investigating the disappearance and then death of his ex-girlfriend, who got tangled up with the high society and jock scene, and...well, y'know. It's al there. Femmes fatale, kingpins of crime and their underlings, the quiet guy who has all the connections, and some very classy music along the way. What makes it work is that it's played straight: the characters don't think they're being funny and the movie doesn't do anything to suggest otherwise.
I found it altogether successful. It's a delight. I recommend it.
The conceit is simple: take all the conventions of classic film noir or hardboiled detective fiction of the '30s-'50s, and put them into a modern Southern California high school. The main character is one of the relatively nerdy guys, investigating the disappearance and then death of his ex-girlfriend, who got tangled up with the high society and jock scene, and...well, y'know. It's al there. Femmes fatale, kingpins of crime and their underlings, the quiet guy who has all the connections, and some very classy music along the way. What makes it work is that it's played straight: the characters don't think they're being funny and the movie doesn't do anything to suggest otherwise.
I found it altogether successful. It's a delight. I recommend it.