Official Synopsis:
Brendan Frye is a loner, someone who knows all the angles but has chosen to stay on the outside. When the girl he loves turns up dead, he is determined to find the "who" and "why" and plunges into the dark and dangerous social strata of rich girl Laura, intimidating Tug, drug-addled Dode, seductive Kara, and the ominous Pin. But who can he really trust? These are the ingredients of Brick, a gritty and provocative thriller that critics describe as "a clever, twist-filled whodunit!" (Claudia Puig, USA Today)
Our Take:
Whenever I sit down to watch a movie that's received as much critical acclaim as Brick has, I get a little bit nervous. Because nine times out of ten, I don't see what everyone else is seeing. I think I tend to be a little bit more popcorn-flick oriented than the traditional movie critic, so I always worry that I'm just going to miss something. So along comes Brick, a movie I was very excited to watch. There are some brilliant parts to this movie, but do I think it's as good as everyone's been saying?
Almost, but not quite.
First off, let me say that the fact that Brick was made for a reported $500,000 is as spectacular as it sounds. The movie looks completely fantastic, with some amazing cinematography and a mood and feel reminiscent of big-budget films like L.A. Confidential. But the rapid-fire, noir-heavy dialogue IS tough to follow, and it makes the story murky at best for much of the time. This one of those films that absolutely requires a second viewing to appreciate, but I'm not a big fan of that. With movies like Memento or The Sixth Sense, you fully understood everything that was happening as you watched the film the first time; a repeat viewing would only enhance the experience. With Brick, it's pretty much a necessity, and I feel that's a lot to ask of your typical viewer.
That being said, let me reiterate that there are lots of things I like about the film. The performances are excellent across the board, especially Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who is a long way from 3rd Rock From the Sun here. Lukas Haas is also excellent as The Pin, a creepy drug kingpin. Director Rian Johnson has a natural ability that allows him to draw the most out of his performers while turning in a devilishly stylish film.
The DVD includes a few bonus features, although the deleted scenes are easily the highlight of the disc.
* Deleted and Extended Scenes (22 minutes) - Cut and extended scenes with introductions by Rian Johnson.
* The Inside Track: Casting the Roles of Laura and Dode (3 minutes) - Audition tapes for two of the lead actors.
* Commentary - Writer/director Rian Johnson, actors Noah Segan and Nora Zhetmer, and a few behind-the-scenes folks talk about the film.
Brick is a really good movie, it's just awfully dark and it requires the utmost of your attention. And even then, chances are good that you will, at some point or another, get lost for a little while. Still, if you want to check out something that's way off the beaten path, Brick is definitely worth a look.
Overall Picture:
Movie: B+
DVD: B
- Mike Spring
Editor
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