A Scanner Darkly, 2006
A Scanner Darkly, 2006
Directed and written by Richard Linklater
Based on the novel by Philip K. Dick
Cast:
Rory Cochrane ... Charles Freck
Robert Downey Jr. ... James Barris
Keanu Reeves ... Bob Arctor
Sean Allen ... Additional Fred Scramble Suit Voice (voice)
Cliff Haby ... Voice from Headquarters (voice)
Winona Ryder ... Donna Hawthorne
Mark Turner ... Additional Hank Scramble Suit Voice (voice)
Woody Harrelson ... Ernie Luckman
Chamblee Ferguson ... Medical Deputy #2
Angela Rawna ... Medical Deputy #1
Yeah, I have no idea what's going on in this movie. I watched it. Really, I did. but I just have no idea what's happening or why. From the beginning, I was clinging desperately to the Netflix envelope's brief summary to help me understand some of what was going on: "Working as an undercover cop in a world where almost everyone is addicted to Substance D -- which produces split personalities in its users -- Fred Arctor (Reeves) sets up an elaborate sting to nab a notorious drug runner named Bob. But little does Fred know that 'Bob' is . . . his alter ego." Needless to say, this did not help me navigate this movie.
I adore Robert Downey, Jr., as an actor, and he usually picks interesting roles -- this movie is no exception to that rule. I also liked seeing Rory Cochran, everyone's favorite pre-emo kid from Empire Records, playing a paranoid druggie. And Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, and Woody Harrelson seem to have less-than-stellar reputations in Hollywood, though I think that they're interesting, strong actors as well. But seriously, choosing to be in movies like A Scanner Darkly does not help these actors' careers one little bit. I can tell they tried, I can tell they were totally invested in their roles in this film, but it just didn't pan out, and I'm not sure who to blame.
I did not read the book, and I haven't read anything (that I know of) by Philip K. Dick, so maybe I'm just not in the right world-context to understand this movie. It also may not have helped my ability to keep up that I was folding socks during the movie. At least I wasn't drunk while watching it -- it did have a chance to make sense to me. The visual style is very eye-catching, and the themes seem foreboding and applicable to today's political climate (at least in the US), but it's just so dense. Too many Keanu-Reeves-based characters, too many confused looks, too many paranoias, not enough explanation. I need a flow-chart or a diagram or something.
Overall: D+ (the plus is for effort)