Film Review: The Black Dahlia (2006)
The annals of Hollywood are replete with dark chapters, and few have inspired as many works of fiction as the gruesome and unsolved murder of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short in 1947. Posthumously dubbed "Black Dahlia," this chilling case has captivated audiences for decades. In 1987, crime author James Ellroy drew upon these events to craft his novel The Black Dahlia – the first instalment in his celebrated L.A. Quartet series. The third novel of the series, L.A. Confidential, was in 1997 adapted in period crime epic which is considered one of the finest Hollywood films of its time. When The Black Dahlia itself was adapted to film directed by Brian De Palma, expectations were understandably sky-high.
The story unfolds during the mid-1940s, introducing us to LAPD Detective Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert (played by Josh Hartnett) and his colleague/boxing partner Detective Lee Blanchard (played by Aaron Eckhart). Two men are good friends and remain so even after Bucky is introduced to Lee’s girlfriend Katharine “Kay” Lake (played by Scarlett Johansson), to whom Bucky becomes attracted. On January 15th 1947 nude mutilated body of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short (played by Mia Kirshner) is discovered, and Bucky and Lee join murder investigation. They soon become obsessed with “Black Dahlia” and that affects their relationship. Lee meets violent end at the hands of mysterious person, while Bucky discovers that Short frequented underground lesbian clubs where she was acquainted to Madeline Linscott (played by Hilary Swank), woman who looks very much like her, a daughter of rich and influential, but also depraved and dysfunctional famil.
At the time of its premiere, De Palma was far from the peak of his career, and the high standards set by L.A. Confidential made it unlikely that even a director of his caliber would surpass them in a new film. Even with that taken into account, The Black Dahlia proved to be a massive disappointment.
On a technical level, the film is satisfactory. De Palma still demonstrates his skill as a filmmaker, and Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography utilizes sepia and dark tones to create an atmospheric 1940s Los Angeles setting. The Nu Boyana studios in Bulgaria provided impressive reconstructions of this period, setting a new record for the most expensive Hollywood film produced there.
However, it is the messy script by Josh Friedman that dooms the film. The complicated plot weaves together real characters and events with fictional ones, making it incomprehensible to audiences and resulting in a rushed resolution. This makes it difficult for viewers to engage with the story and invest in the characters' motivations.
The cast of the film is even more disappointing. Josh Hartnett and Scarlett Johansson struggle to make an impact as Bucky Bleichert and Katherine "Kay" Lake, respectively, and their chemistry lacks any genuine spark. In contrast, Hilary Swank and Fiona Shaw deliver hammy performances that border on parody.
Mia Kirshner stands out as the only saving grace of the film, delivering a haunting portrayal of Elizabeth Short in her flashbacks. Her tragic character serves as the emotional core of the story, providing a sense of gravitas that the rest of the film struggles to match.
The Black Dahlia received lukewarm receptions from both critics and audiences upon its release, a fate it undoubtedly deserved given its flaws. Despite this, the enduring allure of Elizabeth Short's tragic tale ensures that someone else will likely attempt to adapt her story in the future.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
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