I thought I had seen the greatest science fiction films ever after seeing movies like "Blade Runner" or "The Matrix". Then the randomness of Netflix allowed me to see "Dark City," one of the best films I have seen that has come out during the last 10 years. I first heard of this film when I read a complaint on Entertainment Weekly about it's choices for the best science fiction of the past 20 years. The complainer was mad that EW had left out "Dark City" from the list. I have to agree. This movie is so stylish, so weird, so interesting, so dark that it deserves to be on any Top Sci-Fi list.
Lets start with the story. A man wakes up in a tub with a crushed needle on the floor, a speak of blood on his forehead, amnesia, a dead hooker in his room with a spiral shaped knife wound (a Jack the Ripper reference), a goldfish, a swinging overhead light similiar to the one in the Psycho fruit celler, and a trio of pale, bald goons who chase him with knives. Not a bad start to one's day. The film's strength and weakness is how it makes the viewer confused. At about 25 minutes into the film, blue gunk comes out of these bald mens' head (these men are called the Strangers and there is more than three), entire blocks of this "Dark City" are put to sleep, and the protagonist suddenly has mystic powers. I had to let out my confusion with a loud "What the heck is going on?" This film had dug itself into a hole and I wondered how it was going to dig itself out again. Boy, did it deliver, with a vengence.
Rufus Sewell plays the main character, John Murdoch, and is likeable because he is just as confused as the audience is. I also found him strangely sinister because I didn't know what he was going to do next. Jennifer Connelly plays Murdochs wife, but she is mostly just eye-candy. William Hurt is in the movie as well and is gruff enough to play the no nonsence police detective. The person I found to truly steal the show was Kiefer Sutherland who plays Dr. Daniel P. Schreber, Murdoch's only consistant contact throughout the movie. I love the way he always pauses within his sentences to inhale. For some reason, he reminded me of Yoda with his distinctive vocal style. The film is filled with cool touches that make people who watch too many movies really happy. This film seems to be mostly designed with 40's noir in mind. Whether it's the clothes that people wear, or the streets that they walk on, everything has been well emulated from film history or different film genres.
Oh, and the sinister beaches mentioned in the title of this reflection - the phrase "going to the beach" might sound a little more creepy to you after you watch this movie.
You are probably either agreeing with me, not agreeing with me, scratching your head, or not giving a crud. For those not familiar with the film, I recommend that you watch the new Director's Cut DVD that was just released. If you didn't like the film to begin with, I recommend the new DVD as well. I have not seen the original theatrical release, but I heard that this new cut is supposed to be better than that. Here is a trailer from youtube to wet anyone's appetite.
1 comment:
I think that you were a little harsh about Jennifer Connolly's acting. She had to convey her love for Sewell's character in spite of the identity-reshaping in the night, and I thought she performed that scene well. Otherwise, I agree with you about the Dark City's excellence.
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