A Scanner Darkly

If you'll recall my unwritten review of Spielbergs A.I., my summation was that it was pretty much exactly what you'd expect of Steven Spielberg directing a script by Stanley Kubrick.

Funnily enough, A Scanner Darkly is also pretty much exactly what you'd expect of Richard Linklater directing a story by Philip K. Dick. It's a strange, rambling story set in the near future in a society ravaged by a drug named Substance D, the long term side effects of which make it difficult, if not impossible to trust what you're seeing around you. That, coupled with suits used by the police to disguise their identities - even from each other - and Linklaters trademark penchant for stream of consciousness conversations means you're in fertile ground for an extremely confusing thriller.

To be honest, I'd be reluctant to say whether I believe the film is any good or not. I think a second viewing (at least) would be required to make that determination, but I doubt I'll get around to watching it any time soon. That said, it's definitely different, which rates it at least a few plusses in my book. Visually it's striking, with rotoscoped actors giving it a uniquely animated style. Strangely, though, it's animated nature also means it's a bit distancing, in contrast to more traditional animated fare which normally make it easier to relate to their iconically rendered characters (Scott McCloud goes into this topic in some detail in his excellent Understanding Comics). I found myself concentrating on following what was happening on screen more than I would with either a conventionally filmed movie, or with an animated picture.

Lately I've taken to classifying films into two broad categories. Those which are "interesting" and everything else. The former contains many films I've enjoyed and many I've disliked but in general I'm glad to have watched them all. A Scanner Darkly most definitely falls into the "interesting" category. I didn't love it, and I'm not even sure I liked it, but it was thought provoking at the very least and I appreciate it for that much.