Film Review:Black Dahlia Weaves a Graphic Tale

In Hollywood in 1947 a young struggling actress named Elizabeth Short became famous not for her life but from her death. Her murder shocked even the coldest hearts in Hollywood and she would forever be known as the Black Dahlia.

Director Brian De Palma has taken the foundation of this gruesome murder and made the film “The Black Dahlia” based on the actual murder with fictional characters and plot line.

The story follows two rival detectives, Sgt. Leland Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) and Officer Dwight Bleichert (Josh Harnett) who are investigating the brutal murder. The visuals of the “Jack the Ripper” styled murders are haunting and intense but necessary. The realistic depiction adds to the story by making the audience understand the single-mindedness with which Blanchard pursued the case. On the other hand, these images will blaze in the mind’s eye for a long time.

The film, although graphic, is definitely worth seeing. Hartnett gives a great performance. He has strong chemistry with Scarlett Johansson who plays Kay Lake, the love interest of both detectives. She looks like she belongs in this era and genre. Although it is in color, DePalma captured the mystic of the forties era. From the music to the director, the scope of this film isamazing, however the graphic depiction is extremely disturbing. At one point many in the audience turned away from the screen, as if to take a deep breath.

This is one powerful film, but beware: it is graphic. One of the year’s best films. Rated R for nudity, language, violence, etc. Starring Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, and Aaron Eckhart as Bucky’s partner Lee Blanchard. Directed by Brian De Palma. I give this film four out of five stars.