Movie Passion Post: Brick (2005) by Rian Johnson
Writer and director, Rian Johnson, debuted his first film, Brick, in 2005. It’s a very unique movie that focuses largely on style. The film is a throwback to the style of film noir, the cinematic style of crime dramas in the 1940s and 1950s. Interestingly, Brick applies this film style to a modern day context where the characters are high school students. The result is a rare experience for audience members and even for those who are familiar with noir films.
Despite Brick’s twist on the noir style, the film remains true to noir in regards to having a crime centered plot and using the traditional dialogue found in old crime detective movies. Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), the story’s main character, fulfills the role of the crime detective. Brendan, a high school loner, tries to find his ex-girlfriend, Emily, after she has disappeared for a couple of days. Using the help of his friend, Brain, Brendan locates Emily, only to find her dead. Wanting to solve the murder himself, Brendan hides Emily’s body so that the police will not get involved. Using clues Emily left behind, Brendan slowly grows closer to truth of Emily’s murder. His suspicions cause him to question everyone whether it be popular athletes, stoners, nerds, and anyone else who populates the high school scene. His questions lead him to uncover and eventually infiltrate a local drug ring that Emily was involved in. It is here the Brendan is able to discover the true reasons behind Emily’s murder.
The great thing about Brick is that is able to be a true old school detective movie while taking place in the present. This feat is not easily accomplished and much credit must be given to the writer, director, and actors. Rian Johnson’s script is perfectly measured and resonates both the dialogue and action of classic noir films. Similarly, Johnson’s directing and his choice of camera angles and lighting, provide an atmosphere to the movie that give viewers a true feeling of watching a 1940s and 1950s film. Finally, Joseph Gordon-Levitt must be given due credit for his portrayal of a noir’s quintessential crime detective character. It’s his delivery that brings the script to life and make his words the tough talk that define noir’s dialogue. Regardless of all these factors that make Brick a perfect throwback to the classic detective genre, the ultimate determinant of this is the viewer. Due to the fact that the characters are high school students, the movie’s dialogue and drama might appear out of context. Viewers must suspend their disbelief regarding the movie’s realism, in order to enjoy a truly original movie.
Interesting to see a movie try to portray the classic film noir style as recent as 2005. I know there have been other movies like this as of late, but I feel as though films that go for a classic style, whether it be film noir or something else, always seem to stand out from the stereotypical CGI created Hollywood blockbusters.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of my favorite male actors, so I’ll definitely have to check this one out. Just speaking in generality, I really like your blog overall, especially the movie selections you make. They’re bit off the beaten path, which keeps me coming back, as opposed to just doing a review of Anchorman or something like that.