Hardboiled Teens
by covert.c. on Apr.29, 2006, under moviez
In the age-old world of gumshoe stories, the battered detective lends an unwavering determination to solving the crime. If you’re not a big fan of noir, I will chance on a prediction : you will be. At least, once you see the movie “Brick”.
The backdrop of a suburban highschool provides ample substance for the heated story, and not without plenty of irony. Teens talking as if they’ve stepped out of the forties, spewing a delicious torrent of tough-guy vernacular unheard since Miller’s Crossing. Every archetype is present, but literally translated into a smaller world of highschool seniors. The “heat” is the highschool vice-principal, the snitch with heart of gold is the school nerd, the femme fatale… on and on.
It totally works. The irony of modern young actors curling their lips around these lines is totally hysterical :
Brendon : Throw one at me if you want, hash head. I’ve got all five senses and I slept last night, that puts me six up on the lot of you.
Or when he’s confronted by the school heat :
Assistant VP Gary Trueman: You’ve helped this office out before.
Brendan : No, I gave you Jerr to see him eaten, not to see you fed.
…
Brendan : No more of these informal chats! If you have a disciplinary issue with me, write me up or suspend me and I’ll see you at the Parent-Teacher conference.
…
Brendan : I don’t want you to come kicking in my homeroom door because of something I didn’t do.
I think thats enough. Hopefully enough to get all three of my readers out to see this wonderful indie film. Does this have anything to do with games? Only in the sense that the director has created an alternate little world in this movie. All of the filmic elements seem to breathe on their own despite being the product of two (or more) sources overlayed. From my point of view, doing this type of mashup smartly is creatively pure. The result stands on its own. In sum, just further proof that little people can do great things.
7 Comments for this entry
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April 30th, 2006 on 4:12 pm
This movie had the (sparsely populated) theatre laughing out loud, out of sheer glee at the dialogue. Not "how fucking stupid" laughing, I mean "oh, YES!" laughing, just pure joy at how well it all worked on screen.
It was the first time in quite a while that I'd seen an audience want a movie that much.
April 30th, 2006 on 9:24 pm
ahhh justin! I was wondering who the third reader was.
If the review commision commands, the board members watch! Of course. Now I shall recommend an equally enjoyed film on my blog to match this post.
May 2nd, 2006 on 7:13 pm
That kicks more ass than a coco farmer
May 3rd, 2006 on 4:09 am
Does PG have a repetory or art house theatre? I hope that you can find a way to see it...
May 7th, 2006 on 8:17 am
Pg has two things, Jack and Shit. Sometimes we get a film festival shown at the local PlayHouse Theater. But that isnt till late fall if I recal. No sir the only way I get good stuff like that is the Intertron.
June 1st, 2006 on 12:31 pm
Like how about an update?
June 6th, 2006 on 4:11 pm
Coming, coming...