When I watched Mulholland Falls a few years back, I came out of the cinema knowing that I’d really enjoyed the film. I was also well aware that I hadn’t understood a blinking word of it. That’s not to say that I felt confused by it at any time, it was simply that I didn’t have a clue what was going on.
Brick, on the other hand, is understandable. It’s not as confusing and if you pay attention, you can certainly follow the story. Despite all this, I did have this similar feeling of slight bamboozlement once the end credits started to role. However, this is certainly not a bad thing.
Brick is a classic Film Noir thriller, brought up to date and plonked right in the middle of a middle American high school. Gone are the gumshoe detectives and fem-fatals. In their place we have Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Third Rock from the Sun), Emilie de Ravin (Lost) and Nora Zehetner (Heroes).
Brenden, (Levitt) our detective, gets a phone call from his distressed ex girl friend Emily (Ravin), a short time before she seems to vanish for good. This leads Brenden on a tour through a seedy world of drug pushers, hired heavies, upper class socialites and school yard jocks. While never fitting in with any of these people, Brenden manages to weave his way all the way back to the apparent source of Emily’s disappearance, The Pin.
This film is an engaging work of noir fiction and really showcases the fantastic talents of all involved. Levitt especially is a revelation as the streetwise, intelligent, tough as old boots school kid. He is practically unrecognizable from his “Third Rock from the Sun” character, instead projecting an inner cool and confidence reminiscent of Kevin Spacey and John Cusack.
Brick is the sort of film that can only get better the more you watch it and the comparisons to Donnie Darko are not misplaced. An incredibly taut and twisting thriller, worthy of your complete attention. Cult status will not be far away.