The FiFi Report 154

The Black Dahlia …Directed by Brian De Palma
Based on: the novel by James Ellroy.
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller.
Who: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, Mia Kirshner.
The Plot: Hollywood 1947… The plot is very convoluted. I think this is what happens. But I am not sure: Two LAPD detectives are friends; Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart. Both in love with the same woman; Scarlett Johannsen. They are also boxers. They smoke. Then smoke more. Baddies turn up. A shoot out. A Hollywood starlet is murdered. More smoking. Hilary Swank turns up. She is rich and bisexual. More smoking. More shooting, fighting murders, love scenes. Oh, and more smoking. They should all be dead by the end of the movie. From Lung cancer. Creepy types with disfigured faces appear looking mean. It gets more confusing. Who cares? it’s so great to look at. Who cares? Josh Hartnett is so handsome. More murders. More shooting. More screaming. Very Film Noir. A kiss. The end.
Acting: Hilary Swank and Aaron Eckhart are fabulous. Scarlett Johansen is asleep but looks good. Ditto Josh Hartnett. (“To say [Hartnett] lacks charisma or screen presence is like saying Hurricane Katrina caused a few problems.” Film Threat)
Photography: Very Film Noir . Fabulous gritty black and white shots, with lurking figures and shadows on the wall.. Turn off the sound and just watch the beautiful scenes.
Design: Gorgeous 1940’s houses, divine furniture, glamorous mansions and amazing production design.
Wardrobe: It’s quite fabulous. Men always look great in suits. Scarlett and Hilary wear glamorous gowns, shoulder pads, very 40’s high waist wide trousers, fitted knits and belts with pencil skirts. I am convinced Miuccia Prada saw this movie before her latest collection for next spring. It’s so right …. 40’s is back.
Salon de Beaute: So very Hollywood with fabulous coifed curled hair and red lips with false eyelashes.
Botox: Scarlett and Hillary have had it. You need it to understand the ever confusing plotWaterproof Mascara: No need. No laughing. No crying.
Mistake #1: When Lee is being lifted into the incinerator, he moves his head, despite being dead. Oops.
Bloodnguts: There are chopped up corpses, blood, guts and fights.
Mind drifted to shopping: When I had absolutely no idea what the hell was going on.Smokin’ smooches: They smoked a lot but not alot of smooches.
Car chases: What 1940’s gangster Film Noir is complete without a few car chases?Rename It: China Town
Best Review: “Meticulously mounted with bravura filmmaking that serves well the darkly intriguing, fact-based noir crime yarn, this is one of De Palma’s most technically accomplished films.” EmanuelLevy.Com
Best Worst Review: Even though Hollywood is known for fakes and forgeries, from fake breasts to fake Rolexes and fake blood, you would think it would still know how to make a movie about itself.” Richmond.com
“A beautiful mess.” Supercala.com
 “ If you like any of the lead actors, don’t go see this movie. If you like good movies, don’t go see this movie. If you’re a steady customer at Helga’s House of Pain, this one’s for you” .Detroit News
See it or donate to the Prada Bag fund? It’s as chic as a Prada bag and as gorgeous to look at. Who cares if they never make sense.. http://www.theblackdahliamovie.net/