A Scanner Darkly Review
Posted by Matthew Craggs on 07.17.2006
When Substance D is outlawed, only outlaws will have Substance D.
Keanu Reeves … Bob Arctor
Winona Ryder .... Donna Hawthorne
Rory Cochrane … Charles Freck
Robert Downey Jr. … James Barris
Woody Harrelson … Ernie Luckman
Warner Independent Picture presents a film directed and written for the screen by Richard Linklater. Based on the book by Philip K. Dick. Rated R for drug and sexual content, language and a brief violent image. Runtime 100 minutes.
It seems like most of the buzz surrounding Richard Linklater’s latest is the use of rotoscoping to animate the entire film. The result is a hip and suspicious feel that works well with the film’s themes of paranoia. Seeing Keanu Reeves, who could always use some animation, traced like a comic character is the type of thing that will make A Scanner Darkly a cult hit. Sure, the animation is to be commended in the way it enhances mood instead of distracting from it, but the success of the picture comes in the story.
Keanu Reeves is Bob Arctor, an undercover cop who befriends a couple of paranoid junkies. With the aid of hidden holographic cameras he spies on his roommates and girlfriend in hopes of locating the higher ups on the Substance D food chain. Substance D is a new, highly addictive drug that sweeps the nation, causing neurological damage to all who take it.
Bob is so undercover that even his superiors don’t know who he is. They know he is either Bob, Barris (Downey), Ernie (Harrelson) or Donna (Ryder), but can only guess at the true identity because his identity is concealed with a special suit that flashes a million different bodies on top and modifies his voice. In fact, all of his co-workers wear one. Bob doesn’t even know who his superior is. These suits are a nifty plot device that allows the characters to talk to people they shouldn’t be talking to. For example, Barris attempts to inform the police about Bob’s supposed involvement in a terrorist plot. Little does Barris know that he is informing Bob about Bob.
We head into an undercover cop going a little too under cover narrative. Bob takes Substance D as part of his job and gets a little too hooked. His brain starts deteriorating and paranoia starts to set in. A couple of revelations later the film ends abruptly. The last few minutes feel like there wasn’t a third act at all.
There are all sorts of reasons why this film is enjoyable. The casting is excellent. Keanu Reeves may not be the best actor and it works for him in pictures where the line between reality and fantasy blur, like The Matrix. We believe that Reeves’ character doesn’t know what’s happening because we believe that Reeves doesn’t know what’s happening. He even manages to appear insightful.
The humour is dry and effective. In one scene Barris buys a bicycle. With Harrelson and the rest of the crew they try to figure out where the “extra gears” went. In another scene spaced out Freck attempts suicide which is narrated by a calm voice. The attempt is hilarious, especially the items he wants to hold as he dies.
In the end A Scanner Darkly will find its way to cult status. The stylish animation, sarcastic humor and drug references will appeal to a younger crowd. The themes of police surveillance and government paranoia will appeal to conspiracy theorists.
The 411: A Scanner Darkly is a stylistic tale of the not so distant future, where everyone is under surveillance, highly addictive drugs warp the minds of youth, and everyone is animated! As expected, this film gets you thinking about the relationship between the people and their government, the government and drugs, and drugs and the people, all the while fulfilling your need to just be entertained already with some hilarious gags and tips for making cheap cocaine.
