Rent The Black Dahlia (2006)
2.6 of 5 from 386 ratings
2h 1min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
The Black Dahlia weaves a fictionalized tale of obsession, love, corruption, greed and depravity around the true story of the brutal murder of a fledgling Hollywood starlet that shocked and fascinated the nation in 1947 and remains unsolved today. Two ex-pugilist cops, Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) and Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett(, are called to investigate the homicide of ambitious silver-screen B-lister Betty Ann Short (Mia Kirshner) A.K.A. "The Black Dahlia" - an attack so grisly that images of the killing were kept from the public. While Blanchard's growing preoccupation with the sensational murder threatens his relationship with Kay (Scarlett Johansson), his partner Bleichert finds himself attracted to the enigmatic Madeleine Linscott (Hilary Swank), the daughter of one of the city's most prominent families - who just happens to have an unsavory connection to the murder victim. - Actors:
- Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, Mike Starr, Fiona Shaw, Patrick Fischler, James Otis, John Kavanagh, Troy Evans, Anthony Russell, Pepe Serna, Angus MacInnes, Rachel Miner, Victor McGuire, Gregg Henry, Jemima Rooper, Rose McGowan, Luis Daniel Ponce
- Directors:
- Brian De Palma
- Voiced By:
- Brian De Palma
- Writers:
- Josh Friedman, James Ellroy
- Others:
- Vilmos Zsigmond
- Studio:
- Entertainment In Video
- Genres:
- Drama, Thrillers
- Collections:
- 2007, Cinema Paradiso's 2024 Centenary Club: Part 2, CinemaParadiso.co.uk Through Time, Getting to Know..., Getting to Know: Scarlett Johansson, The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to: Brian De Palma
More like The Black Dahlia
Reviews (7) of The Black Dahlia
Really difficult to follow - The Black Dahlia review by Tim from London
This film is a mess. The narrative is totally incomprehensible. I had to watch some parts twice - and I'm still not entiely sure what happenned. It was also hard to understand what was being said at times - partly because the film was based on a James Ellroy book and has kept true to his slang style of writing but also because of the inept acting. Infact there were some real dud performances all round - especially from Hillary Swank and Scarlett Johansson who were flat seemed totally miscast. I like the films of Brian de Palmer when he has big set peices to carry off - eg Carlitos Way and Scarface - and he does a pretty good job in this film when the two police officers are caught in a shot out and the body is discovered. Unfortunately the rest of the film fails to match this and is more Bonfire of the Vanities than Carlito's Way.
8 out of 10 members found this review helpful.
Incomprehensible - The Black Dahlia review by CP Customer
What a let down. I found this so hard to follow that I don't really understand what happened in the end and what's more I didn't really care. I have loved other films of Ellroy's books and other de Palma movies, but this was a completely confusing disappointment.
7 out of 7 members found this review helpful.
Such a mistake - The Black Dahlia review by CP Customer
I was excited about this film, as I always enjoy seeing Scarlett Johansson and Josh Hartnett completely endeared himself to me in Lucky number Selvin. However, I was very disappointed. The plot line seemed to go no where, and Hilary Swank had no function.
Not the dramatic mystery I was hoping for, and I actually fell asleep for part of it and had the chore of having to re-watch it. I would not recommend this at all
6 out of 6 members found this review helpful.