Review: The Black Dahlia (D+)

Review: The Black Dahlia
Directed by Brian De Palma
Starring Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, Fiona Shaw
MPAA: R
Grade: D+

Review by Bobby Nashville

Brian De Palma is what I like to call a "home run hitter" director. He swings for the fences everytime. Occasionally he hits a home run (Scarface, The Untouchables, Carlito's Way). But most of the time, he strikes out. Femme Fatale, Bonfire of the Vanities and Mission To Mars were all huge failures. The Black Dahlia is not as bad as those three, but it is definitely another strike out for this highly talented director.

The Black Dahlia is based on the novel by James Ellroy and it contains much of the racist dialogue intact from the book. That's a bit unfortunate and although it may be historically accurate, I found it a little disturbing. This fictionalized story, based on the Black Dahlia murder case of the 1940s is also slow, methodical and far too drawn out. Josh Hartnett plays Officer Dwight 'Bucky' Bleichert, a cop that is driven to find the killer of Elizabeth Short, a B list actor. Scarlett Johansson plays Kay Lake, his best friend's girl. Of course, a love triangle begins. Johannsson is not at her best here and Josh Hartnett is completely miscast in the role of a gritty LA cop. He just never seems to fit into the role. However, Hilary Swank is fantastic in a turn as Madeleine Linscott, a freaky gal that is driven by dangerous liasions.

The Black Dahlia is a well intentioned film that is not as dark and creepy as it needs to be to succeed. Although it clocks in at 121 minutes it really feels like longer. A good twenty minutes could have been cut out of this film and it wouldn't have missed a note. For fans of De Palma and Johannson, I guess the Black Dahlia is a curious rental, but I can't go much farther than that.