A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Kino

Love the Hard Way

Film.com's FREE movie of the week is "Love the Hard Way." Oscar-winner Adrien Brody and Charlotte Ayanna star in this drama about a thief who falls for a curious, beautiful young woman. As their intimacy grows, a slick cop (Pam Greer) is closing in.

Rolling Stone

Studio: Warner Independent Pictures

Rating: R

Release Date: Jul 7, 2006

Running Time: 100 mins.

Country Of Origin: United States

starring: Keanu Reeves, Mitch Baker, Robert Downey, Jr, Winona Ryder, Woody Harrelson, Rory Cochrane, Sean Allen, Cliff Haby, Steven Chester Prince, Natasha Valdez

director: Richard Linklater

A Scanner Darkly

In the near future in Suburban Orange County, California, America's endless and futile war on drugs has become one and the same with its war on terror. Reluctant undercover cop Bob Arctor follows orders to start spying on his friends, Jim Barris, Ernie Luckman, Donna Hawthorne and Charles Freck. When he is directed to step up the surveillance on himself, he is launched on a paranoid journey into the absurd, where identities and loyalties are impossible to decode.

A Scanner Darkly is capable of inducing euphoria if viewers focus on one element of splendor--the acting, concept, dialogue or animation--per viewing. (It might take as many viewings to firmly grasp the plot, as well.) But trying to take it all in at once can lead to sensory overload and, even worse, boredom.

Story

Imagine the sci-fi spirit of Blade Runner crossed with the drug-induced musings of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and set to trippy animation. Now consider that this animation plays…

SEAN WOODS - December 15, 2006

Director Richard Linklater's adaptation of a Philip K. Dick tale about a future superdrug and its addicts running amok is a study in paranoia. Keanu Reeves, as a junkie narc in too deep, and Winona Ryder, as his dealer, give great performances. But the film's deranged confusion will not be for everyone, and the rotoscoped animation may leave you feeling like you did too many gravity bong hits.

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Richard Linklater

Director

Keanu Reeves

Bob Arctor

Mitch Baker

Brown Bear Lodge Host

Robert Downey, Jr

James Barris

Winona Ryder

Donna Hawthorne

Woody Harrelson