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A faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel, A Scanner Darkly takes the viewer on a visual and mind-blowing journey into the author's conception of a drug-addled and politically unstable world. Read critic reviews
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A Scanner Darkly Photos
Movie Info
In the near future, as America virtually loses the war on drugs, Robert Arctor, a narcotics cop in Orange County, Calif., becomes an addict when he goes under cover. He is wooing Donna, a dealer, to ferret out her supplier. At the same time, he receives orders to spy on his housemates, one of whom is suspected of being Donna's biggest customer.
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Rating: R (Drug and Sexual Content|A Brief Violent Image|Language)
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Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-fi, Mystery & thriller, Animation
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Original Language: English
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Director: Richard Linklater
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Producer: Tommy Pallotta, Jonah Smith, Anne Walker-McBay, Palmer West
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Writer: Richard Linklater
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Release Date (Theaters): original
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $5.5M
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Runtime:
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Distributor: Warner Independent
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Production Co: Detour Filmproduction, Thousand Words, Warner Independent Pictures, Section Eight Ltd., 3 Arts Entertainment
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Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, Dolby SR
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Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)
Cast & Crew
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Critic Reviews for A Scanner Darkly
Audience Reviews for A Scanner Darkly
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My rating for A Scanner Darkly is probably higher than most. I can easily see it being less for other viewers since the film does not really come together in many respects. It would have been greatly improved by a score to go with the animation. The sound itself is not particularly good (and yet that is one of the more important elements of an animated film). The overall feel to it is very 90s: amusing and silly, then serious. Reeves makes for a somewhat sympathetic main character, a confused and fatigued tragic hero. The main reason why I rate it up is because it is different, the story is oddly compelling, and I am a Robert Downey Jr. fan.
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Très bizarre. Difficile a regarder par moment. Difficile à suivre aussi. Nouveau style que j'apprécie pas forcément.
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There's nothing quite like A Scanner Darkly. The effect of the Rotoscope helps add to the eery, whacked-out feeling this drug-centric mystery/drama already bears, and the performances manage to shine through it to present a weird, watch that is somehow still relatable.
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Rotoscoping is not a technique I had come across before, or since, so I have nothing to compare it to when reviewing 'A Scanner Darkly'. What can be said for certain however is that the film is beyond anything else beautifully made, and whilst a few shaky performances let it down at times, the underlying message of the film is injected right into the viewer's skulls. Based on the book by Philip K. Dick, his most personal work, examining drug abuse and the way society treats drug addicts, 'A Scanner Darkly' tells the story of undercover cop Keanu Reeves, (hold on hasn't he done this before), as he infiltrates a 'substance D' group, a new drug everyone is addicted to. However as Reeves does so he himself becomes addicted to the drug and begins developing a split personality, forgetting who he really is. Linklater has always and will always remain an indie filmmaker, so its no surprise that 'A Scanner Darkly' did not deliver the goods at the box office, picking up little over five million pounds. But more people need to know about this film and dig it out at their local independent dvd shop, for it is the only place you'll find it, because it is deserving of a viewing for both its visual and storytelling capabilities. Whilst Keanu Reeves plays himself again, this time he does it quite well, whilst Robert Downey Junior and Woody Harrelson bring on the best performances to the piece. The story is difficult to follow, not of course helped by mind bending rotoscoping and confusing sci-fi items such as the suits the undercover police officers wear. However it is a terrific story, like all K. Dick material, which shocks you into considering the big questions in a dystopian yet highly relatable setting. The issues of powerful totalitarian states, drug abuse, drug treatment and general paranoia are examined, never in too much detail, but with the right balance of black humour and seriousness. Whilst I would perhaps like to see this story adapted in real life motion, the rotoscoping does more to add than take away from the material and viewing experience, creating an enjoyable film which hits higher than the average indie drama flick.
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