REVIEW - A Scanner Darkly

Directed by Richard Linklater
Written by Richard Linklater (adapted from the novel by Philip K Dick)
Rated R - 100 minutes
Released July 28, 2006

I've never read A Scanner Darkly, which is why despite having read and enjoyed a number of other works by Philip K Dick I hesitate to call myself a fan. A true fan would know this novel well, especially the personal nature of its story. I do appreciate the work of PKD enough to feel that his legacy could have been treated better by the Hollywood money machine. PKD as he appears on the written page isn't for everyone, which is a why a "faithful adaptation" looks and feels so much different than a movie by John Woo or Paul Verhoven. For me, that's a good thing.

It is safe to say that A Scanner Darkly will be seen by many as tedious, talky, preachy, and just plain weird since this film feels a lot more like what PKD is all about. It took nearly 10 minutes before my own brain was able to accept that this was going to be a character and dialogue driven film, but after that I was loving the ride.

The performances were solid and shined through the rotoscoped animation that was drawn over the original frames. The animation added the extra depth to the storytelling, scratching the surface of a medium too often in this country relegated for "kids stories" when in truth it could be used to tell any story.

A Scanner Darkly was poignant, sad, and wickedly funny. As soon as the credits rolled I was tempted to watch it again. Not to try and figure it out or anything like that. I enjoyed the whole experience of this film so much I simply didn't want it to end.

On the Mr. Blunderson Scale, A Scanner Darkly rates a "Your loss if you hate it."