Brick (Movie Review)

I spent the first 20 minutes of Brick (2006) obsessing over how unbelievable the characters were, and how hackneyed the plot — even if it was a noveau twist.

But then something hit me. And as soon as I was thinking the lone merit to be found pertained to the way in which the film was shot, I recollected two lone words from the DVD's sleeve:

Film noir.

Ah, yes! So that's why the plot, however 21st century suburban, seemed vaguely familiar. And, yes, THAT's why the characters — teenagers caught up in a suburban drug world — sound like uncannily intelligent adults with a penchant for McGuyver-esque crime-solving.

It's a modern take on an old genre (a la The Maltese Falcon). And the sooner you realize that, the sooner you'll appreciate the film.

Brick is essentially about a girl caught up in a drug world; her murder; and the ex-boyfriend who talks like Bogart intent on solving the mysteries surrounding her death.

All in all, an interesting film that can be difficult to get into — especially if you forget to read the DVD sleeve.

FINAL GRADE: B