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Brick

2005
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 50m
A teenage loner pushes his way into the underworld of a high school crime ring to investigate the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend.
Directed by:
Rian Johnson Rian Johnson
Written by:
Rian Johnson Rian Johnson
Starring:
Meagan Good Meagan Good Noah Fleiss Noah Fleiss Richard Roundtree Richard Roundtree Joseph Gordon-Levitt Joseph Gordon-Levitt Brian White Brian White Lukas Haas Lukas Haas Emilie de Ravin Emilie de Ravin Nora Zehetner Nora Zehetner Noah Segan Noah Segan Matt O\ Matt O'Leary Reedy Gibbs Jonathan Cauff
More
Genres:
Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Crime, Mystery
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Brick

2005
Drama
Suspense/Thriller
1h 50m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 60.65% from 4784 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 17 May 2008
96
99th
The noir style had yet to recieve a modern facelift until this film came along, and the placement of that style in the high school setting makes this a most remarkable movie.
Rated 17 May 2008
kasperlKasperL
Rated 08 Dec 2009
90
97th
Absolutely brilliantly realized transportation of the hard-boiled genre and inherent noir themes to a high school setting. The tightness of its meticulous narrative impressed me in a way not unlike that in 'Primer', another superior, independent favorite of mine. Almost too convoluted for their own good, the movies seem inaccessible at first but both massively reward repeat viewings. Rian J. won for originality of vision at Sundance and his brother (who did the score) and Joseph G-L. also excel.
Rated 08 Dec 2009
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 30 Mar 2008
9
97th
I was expecting this to feel a lot more gimmicky, but the story and the dialogue really felt like a true noir. A terrific homage.
Rated 30 Mar 2008
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 16 Feb 2007
0
0th
Supposedly film-noir for kids, and so contrived from beginning to end, it transcends ludicrousness into plain torture. The rapid-fire dialogue is so clever it's moronic. Why do people buy into this pulp crap? A crushing blow to the head with a brick would be a rather more satisfying experience than sitting through Brick.
Rated 16 Feb 2007
cowmanCowman
Rated 25 Aug 2007
80
89th
A very moody, dark, stylish, neo-film-noir. Clever dialogue, dark characters, excellent performance by J.G-Levitt and a mysterious, complicated plot. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, trying to put the pieces together. The minimalistic soundtrack was great and the photography was even better. The only thing that really bothered me were the unrealistic fighting scenes, does this guy have a steel jaw or something?
Rated 25 Aug 2007
doctor7doctor7
Rated 28 Jan 2007
89
90th
This movie is absolutely fantastic. I'm blown away at how perfectly film noir was adapted into a high school setting for this. It's witty, clever and smart. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is great, as usual. My only complaint was that the audio was a bit mumbly in some parts and, even after rewatching it multiple times, I had to turn on subtitles to understand what was being said. Of course this might've been the intent or the love budget but I still found it distracting. Otherwise absolutely amazing.
Rated 28 Jan 2007
catscandalCatScandal
Rated 18 Feb 2007
85
96th
Brilliant dialogue, full of surreal juxtapositions between the noir lingo and the high school setting, which is far more innovative and well-crafted than it sounds. That, coupled with a plot that could have starred Bogart and Bacall and supporting characters worthy of Lorre and Greenstreet, make for one amazing film.
Rated 18 Feb 2007
juntakinte99juntakinte99
Rated 27 Sep 2022
75
49th
The late 90's gave us a slew of teenage movies that took novels, Shakespeare plays, and old films and changed their plots to high school settings. Rian Johnson is a little more sophisticated than something like She's All That--largely because this is an indie & not a studio picture. The big problem is that the style of the movie is greater than the substance. As such, your enjoyment is going to hinge on how much you dig seeing teens pretending they are in old timey detective films.
Rated 27 Sep 2022
boobjuiceBoobjuice
Rated 14 Jul 2007
35
37th
It seems that there were two camps of divided opinion concerning 2006's "Brick": those who thought that the concept of updated film noir with old-fashioned lingo acted out by modern-day high schoolers was innovative, and those who thought that it was a load of pretentious bullshit. Count me part of the latter camp. I'm sorry, I just could NOT get past the unnatural and embarrassing dialogue.
Rated 14 Jul 2007
ozymandius10ozymandius10
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
97th
It's Chinatown goes to High School. The dialogue is sharp as a tack, and the very young cast (full of people you've never heard of) delivers it with amazing maturity.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 13 Jul 2019
77
53rd
Enjoyable play on noir tropes is hobbled by its lack of a satisfying payoff - more in terms of its conceit than its story, though the narrative convolutions make the film harder work than it needs to be. Otherwise, this Bogart-ish mystery transplanted to a modern teen setting is consistently engaging and well performed (Gordon-Levitt is a terrific hero) with even some unexpectedly funny moments, but the overarching question is "why?"
Rated 13 Jul 2019
battletoadBattleToad
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
94th
Brick is a clever revival of classic film noir mystery and violence mixed with very Dashiell Hammet flavored dialogue all thrown into the seedy, drug-filled, crime-driven underbelly of a modern day high-school. As you follow the films' tough anti-hero through the complex plot, you can't be anything but enthralled as everything falls into place. With all the femme fatalles and unsavory players of a 40's crime drama, this film isn't, forgive the pun, just another brick in the wall. Awesome!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 02 Apr 2007
90
94th
A little bit confusing to have a murder mystery kind of thing being solved by a schoolboy, but incredibly powerful none the less. The story is interesting and engaging, and keeps you guessing right up to the very end. The lead character Brendan is also dark but likeable, and you're always 'on his side'. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Rated 02 Apr 2007
shmendrekShmendrek
Rated 09 Jul 2007
2
33rd
A decent mystery ruined by the fistfuls of unnatural dialog shoved into the mouths of its characters. It's not just that the things they say sound strange coming out of the mouths of high-schoolers in 2005, but that they would sound strange coming out of the mouth of any real human being. Noir dialog doesn't sound like someone reading out of a slang dictionary. Hard to get past this and enjoy the decent story. Disappointing.
Rated 09 Jul 2007
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 24 Apr 2008
57
25th
The concept is interesting, but the execution leaves much to be desired. Characters mumbling dense language with incessant cutting just makes the film border on incomprehensible. I had to replay lines of dialogue so much on the DVD that I can't image how baffling it would have been in a theater. Also I can't help but feel the film is heavily in love with itself, which is never a good thing.
Rated 24 Apr 2008
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 04 Jan 2008
8
78th
Apart from the dodgy fighting scenes, and the characters, who were a bit too smart for their own good, this is a lovely, witty, and enjoyable film noir.
Rated 04 Jan 2008
kavuKavu
Rated 06 Feb 2008
84
83rd
This is definitely the most original noir movie I've ever seen. It works though. Gordon-Levitt is as good as usual.
Rated 06 Feb 2008
chuchaquiChuchaqui
Rated 01 Dec 2006
89
72nd
Original idea and very clever film. It truly is a film noir and worked hard to deserve this description. Very well done.
Rated 01 Dec 2006
andertonanderton
Rated 04 Jan 2007
25
15th
Somehow I got suckered into watching this piece of shit again, and what I said about it being tepid and forgettable? Nah, it's pretty fucking awful. Down the line.
Rated 04 Jan 2007
twincinematwincinema
Rated 03 Apr 2020
65
42nd
This film was made for people who hate Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as every interaction with another person ends with Levitt getting beat up. A neo-noir set in high school? Great idea, less than great execution.
Rated 03 Apr 2020
gattGatt
Rated 19 Aug 2009
90
88th
I love the 40s noir dialogue set in a modern day high school. Very creative.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
monstergearMonsterGear
Rated 17 Apr 2008
92
93rd
Somehow, this movie strikes the perfect tonal blend. It's hilarious, because a part of you knows how strange and silly it is for high school kids to be running around spouting off film noir dialogue, but a lot of the time the movie plays things so straight that you believe it anyway. A classy, clever, very excellent movie.
Rated 17 Apr 2008
aushabfanaus_hab_fan
Rated 12 Dec 2006
87
94th
Among the best movies I've seen all year. It doesn't cut you any slack, but doesn't demand too much either. The main performances are really well done, only a few sighs here and there. All up, well shot, well heard, well acted, MAN I'm still buzzing after watching it.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
skenkereSkenkere
Rated 27 Feb 2007
86
93rd
A true neo-noir, Brick takes all the style, snappy dialogue and shady characters of a classic noir film and places it in a modern day california high school of all places. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's definitely a really fun, stylish detective story.
Rated 27 Feb 2007
tripwyreTripwyre
Rated 09 Sep 2008
87
88th
Tough to get into initially, as it launches its "film noir high school" concept at you with no primer, and it feels a tad stiff. This is a movie whose story and dialog demand repeat viewings if only to acclimate oneself with this 'verse and its verses. And it finds its feet: the first act is subtle and interesting, a slow-burn sizzle that at about the half-hour mark clicks into a full-borne blaze, scorching its way to the final frames. Gordon-Levitt's performance drives the movie; he's great.
Rated 09 Sep 2008
vespera23vespera23
Rated 11 Aug 2008
92
94th
We need more neo-noir films. We need more films with pulp dialog. We need more films that take old genres and blend them into new settings. We need more films like this one.
Rated 11 Aug 2008
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 10 Sep 2008
58
32nd
The neo-Noir material is cool for the first 10 minutes, and I don't mind its continued use, but the story itself is so pointless it's difficult to care about what happens.
Rated 10 Sep 2008
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 09 May 2013
3
38th
Johnson walks the fine line of taking his concept seriously enough that the noir homage feels earned and lived-in, but not too seriously that we can't laugh at the sight of our intrepid hero staring down a drug dealer while sitting across from him at his mom's kitchen table. As a result, it manages to be both suspenseful and engaging but also loads of fun. The dialogue is surprisingly deft without ever resorting to any glaring noir cliches (thank god nobody said "dames").
Rated 09 May 2013
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 16 Oct 2007
3
45th
I don't think I'm as impressed with this as I once was. Needs a rewatch.
Rated 16 Oct 2007
jetjaguarjetjaguar
Rated 01 Jul 2007
95
89th
A brilliant transplanting of the detective noir genre to high school. Pitch perfect in every scene, with a terrific central performance by Levitt.
Rated 01 Jul 2007
bricksBricks
Rated 14 Aug 2007
42
11th
Pretty ridiculous movie. Sure it was different, but the lingo was annoying, as was the acting. If I wanted to watch a 1940s crime drama, I would have. The whole high school flavor made it even worse.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
paxtonPaxton
Rated 24 Jan 2012
82
91st
A lot of fun in this murder mystery played with bravado by Gordon-Levitt. The breakfast scene at Haas' house is all kinds of awesome.
Rated 24 Jan 2012
qvtQVT
Rated 19 Jan 2009
90
92nd
Lots of great shots, two awesome performances, and a femme fatale that lives up to the great ones.
Rated 19 Jan 2009
lisa_iilisa-
Rated 27 Dec 2015
1
1st
isn't high school just soo craaaaazzzyyyyyy???? quirky-indie-romantic-drama-cum-quirky-indie-detective-novel-cum-quirky-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-indie-noir,,,don't do drugs girl they make you BAd i;m a nice guy quirky yes but also lonely :(
Rated 27 Dec 2015
kojilessKojiless
Rated 13 Dec 2011
40
43rd
It's not every day that I get to use the words "pretentious twat," but this film provided me with not one, not two, but no less than fifty-three opportunities to experience utter linguistic bliss. I could never tell if the movie was trying to be art-school serious or art-school droll, but in the final scene when our emotionless, battered hero says "You want to hear the whole tale?" and the jazz-tastic antagonist says "Tell it to me," I almost spewed barista-crafted cafe latte onto my TV. Almost.
Rated 13 Dec 2011
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 13 Mar 2014
10
2nd
Totally unconvincing and unnatural dialog ruins what might have been a good twisted story. Nobody talks like that, especially not high school teenagers. It is so bad that half the time you either can't understand what they are saying or are laughing at how stupid it is. Added to the otherwise nonsensical dialog, is too much dramatic over acting. This might have seemed great on paper, but as a movie it absolutely reeks. Abysmal writing and directing.
Rated 13 Mar 2014
leonardisLeonardis
Rated 10 Oct 2012
88
57th
I remember this being quite good. Early, younger Joseph Gordon-Levitt is still an effective Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and some of the supporting cast is great as well. It remains fairly unpredictable and is for sure an excellent showcase for writer/director Rian Johnson. If you want something that's well-acted with a small budget, this is a really solid pick.
Rated 10 Oct 2012
kevinjosephkevinjoseph
Rated 02 Feb 2010
64
48th
Felt awfully film-school-y, and sadly, never rose above the level of mere concept. The High School Noir shtick lost its novelty after about 20 minutes, and there wasn't much depth to be found beyond that. Maybe it would have made a nice short film?
Rated 02 Feb 2010
johnshaftjohnshaft
Rated 02 Jul 2009
90
88th
An absolutely cracking idea played very well.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
scribScrib
Rated 10 Jul 2022
80
78th
Highschool detective drama following hard-boiled Joseph Gordon "Marlowe" as he investigates the disappearance of his ex fresh off the back of their break up. Its low budget doesn't limit it, oozing style & a well-utilised score, with Rian Johnson making great use of the camera to suck you in and create an atmosphere far from what you'd expect for the setting. Being his debut, there's not much to suggest that Rian was an amateur, other than a script that perhaps gets a little too ahead of itself.
Rated 10 Jul 2022
ubermenschubermensch
Rated 12 May 2008
100
98th
there is no need to say anything about this gem, beautifully organized teen-crime classic. a modern day noir.
Rated 12 May 2008
nearphotisonNearphotison
Rated 15 Sep 2012
86
77th
In interesting approach to the hard-boiled detective narrative. Not a wholly realistic approach to high school life, but then again it isn't meant to be. Very stylized and slick, and the approach works well here due largely to JGL's performance.
Rated 15 Sep 2012
iechouxiiechouxi
Rated 24 Feb 2010
98
82nd
excellent idea.
Rated 24 Feb 2010
badfurdayBadFurDay
Rated 27 Aug 2022
5
40th
At least now I know high school noir just isn't my vibe. No offense to the people who liked that movie, it's a really interesting experiement and has many qualities. I just don't vibe with it at all.
Rated 27 Aug 2022
juggernautrJuggernautR
Rated 23 Apr 2020
90
91st
A really amazing debut from Rian Johnson, fantastic script.
Rated 23 Apr 2020
kamrankamran
Rated 14 Aug 2007
45
21st
Original and risky, but ultimately falls on its face after a few successful turns around the block. Great premise, but impossible to sustain over a two-hour period. Long outstays its welcome.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jonquilljonquill
Rated 11 Sep 2007
90
79th
Yes, quite a few lines were mumbled over by the supporting cast, but the writing is fantastic and right on the noirhead. Maybe I'm odd, in that I read this movie as partial reaction to the melodrama that high school is depicted as in other movies and TV, but it feels to me like a bold and fitting genre mix.
Rated 11 Sep 2007
pigletPiglet
Rated 10 Jun 2009
75
79th
Bit unrealistic the way the protagonist is hung up on this girl, but you get to take part on a great journey to a place you don't see very often.
Rated 10 Jun 2009
thedenizenTheDenizen
Rated 14 Jan 2009
85
91st
It's a Dalshiell Hammet hardboiled detective story, complete with film noir stylings and 1940's verbal patter, all set in a modern high school. If you can get past that little cinematic conceit, this flick is brilliant. A cleverly plotted and paced murder mystery that keeps you on your toes until the very end. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has come a long way from being the skinny alien kid on 3rd Rock from the Sun.
Rated 14 Jan 2009
neonmanNeonman
Rated 01 Oct 2010
60
15th
This film bricked into my mouth; then I shat bricks, which hit a brick wall. (Isn't that how kids speak these days?)
Rated 01 Oct 2010
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 27 Nov 2009
88
90th
The noir influence is undeniable and it allows one to overlook the artificiality of the events for the sake of a very compelling narrative.
Rated 27 Nov 2009
sebbysebby
Rated 08 Sep 2007
80
91st
If you allow yourself to be immersed by the whole high school noir gimmick you'll dig it. Gordon-Levitt is fantastic as usual.
Rated 08 Sep 2007
future42future42
Rated 01 Feb 2020
35
52nd
Has a unique style to it, but get's a bit slow at points.
Rated 01 Feb 2020
pepsi_manPepsi-Man
Rated 14 Sep 2009
3
74th
A very bizarre concept that actually works despite it sounding pretty terrible--Brick is a very impressive directorial debut and it looks gorgeous for such a low-budget film. Johnson has a great ear for dialogue, especially dialogue so bizarre to modern ears. Most surprisingly, the cast of mostly unknown youngsters do a spectacular job handling the tone. Definitely check it out.
Rated 14 Sep 2009
lawrencelawrence
Rated 09 Jun 2009
99
86th
Great script.
Rated 09 Jun 2009
garypGary_P
Rated 10 Apr 2022
60
9th
I started watching once, then stopped. I tried again, then stopped. I quit about midway. Some of the actors' lines were completely horrible.
Rated 10 Apr 2022
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 27 Dec 2013
80
95th
I thought the concept of a high school noir movie was dangerously close to being corny before I started the film. But the fact that Rian Johnson pulls no punches with the story, and is a stunning, inventive, suspensful visual director, means that not only does this work, it can hold its own against the best noir films of all time. It's dark, brilliant, and and surprisingly the high school setting fits like a glove. The femme fatale ending makes this an instant favorite.
Rated 27 Dec 2013
eskimo107eskimo107
Rated 20 Sep 2010
100
84th
Outstanding film.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
evnEv@n
Rated 02 Aug 2009
97
95th
It's hard to start to rave about this film, it's essentially perfect. The script is one of the best ever, and the film is like no other. A must see for all fans of film, the greatest film-noir ever. Grade: A
Rated 02 Aug 2009
lskywalkerLskywalker
Rated 25 Feb 2007
99
99th
This movie was so great I really felt I had to let people know about it.
Rated 25 Feb 2007
chiliChili
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
92nd
Fantastic movie. A truly compelling mysterious tale from start to finish. The dialogue as well as the cinematogrophy mixed beatuifully in this noir film placed comfortably in a high school setting.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
meanmikhailmeanmikhail
Rated 19 May 2007
100
91st
One of the most original films of the decade. Great writing, great directing, great acting, great movie (somebody put this in a trailer).
Rated 19 May 2007
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 07 Apr 2009
86
94th
The combination of noir and high-school hits all the right notes, especially with JGL playing a hero you can really get your teeth into. Close your eyes and he's Jack Nicholson in Chinatown. Great dialogue even if I couldn't understand half of it, plus loads of cool camera angles and artistic shots. Meanders too much but the frequent beatings, trickery and femmes fatales make it a very enjoyable ride. You are never quite sure if a scene will end in bloodshed or Mom's milk and cookies.
Rated 07 Apr 2009
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 16 Mar 2021
64
60th
Once you get over the artificiality of the setup, the stylized dialogue, the high schoolers acting like adults, you begin to notice the inventiveness of the plot, crisp editing and vivid characterizations. Worthwhile
Rated 16 Mar 2021
stepsidewaysstepsideways
Rated 13 Nov 2007
93
84th
Dashiell Hammett's recording angel gets a high-school detention. Featuring the wittiest, most absorbing noir screenplay since Miller's Crossing. A tour de force.
Rated 13 Nov 2007
tma1tma1
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
58th
Good film noir. Moved along well. Pretty good story, but I felt some of the twists were too forced, or predictable. At times the setting made me laugh in a bad way, even when it was intentional.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
lintonmyroxylintonmyroxy
Rated 31 Aug 2021
72
34th
I dislike Rian Johnson
Rated 31 Aug 2021
silent_discosilent disco
Rated 10 Jan 2020
65
40th
From these awkwardly edited fist fights to TLJ's throne room battle. You're gonna do great things Rian. For now, maybe don't cram the entirety of the main mystery clues into the last ten minutes. Mystery is enthralling because its inviting and lets us all be detectives, not because of the ostensible coolness of obfuscating what could be deemed too easy. Don't assume we like your characters cuz they're "mysterious", and never write a mystery story like said characters.
Rated 10 Jan 2020
filliganFilligan
Rated 04 Aug 2012
91
82nd
A film noir set at a high school with students, all of them talking like adults and using non-existent slang. It's actually pretty awesome, and Gordon-Levitt is awesome in it. It's also very engrossing - I was instantly pulled in and couldn't blink until it was over. Some brilliant choices in the score and cinematography gave me even more to appreciate; Brick is a successfully created universe that weaves a complicated mystery to a satisfying end.
Rated 04 Aug 2012
agentsnipeAgentSnipe
Rated 08 Feb 2007
92
98th
This movie had my rapt attention from start to finish. While I may not have understood everything once the movie was over, I didn't care as I would probably watch this movie as many times as it takes to figure it out. It's a very cool movie.
Rated 08 Feb 2007
amazedemonamazedemon
Rated 21 Jul 2020
62
31st
Johnson competently creates a neo-noir film with Brick, but one that I could never really get invested into. In part it's the fast-talking dialogue and budget production (close length shots and choppy action) that put me off. Mostly, it's the self-aggrandising characters and complete lack of humour. We know Gordon-Levitt can act but his surly, grim demeanour edges the film into tedious territory. Nevertheless, Johnson's "whodunit" plot is decent, and he's improved his formula with Knives Out.
Rated 21 Jul 2020
baseballsbaseballs
Rated 10 May 2018
40
15th
A smug, one-dimensional genre experiment that never once transcends its gimmick.
Rated 10 May 2018
laurabelleLauraBelle
Rated 16 Oct 2008
99
97th
Amazing movie! I love it!!!
Rated 16 Oct 2008
martrynmartryn
Rated 27 Mar 2007
80
77th
The best modern film noir movie. Period. Excellent story, excellent script. Great casting choices. This movie delivers. I really, really want to see more Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Rated 27 Mar 2007
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 08 Mar 2012
79
87th
High school noir? Sign me right up.
Rated 08 Mar 2012
naurunauru
Rated 18 Nov 2012
4
1st
Horrid. I really can't stand this style of film making. Why would you deliberately design every line and every scene to be as hammy as possible? None of the performances are remotely believable, nor are any of the characters or lines or interactions or plot devices.
Rated 18 Nov 2012
bacondudemanbacondudeman
Rated 29 May 2011
75
27th
Brick is like if you tried too get the kids from Degrassi to reenact some 20s noir, unsurprisingly the characters come off unnatural with their overacting that ranges from unbearably cheesy to slightly endearing. What I did enjoy was the interesting cinematics and camera angles, plus the fresh take on the noir genre. However the film left me unstimulated with it's run-time and I found myself wanting to watch the movies this film tries to imitate more.
Rated 29 May 2011
easydiffeasydiff
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
95th
Absolutely brilliant from start to finish. A quirky twist on a plain ol' noir mystery, with brilliant preformances throughout. Oddly, I found Haas's to resonate the least.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
akatemossfanAKateMossFan
Rated 08 Nov 2020
40
66th
ytadelYtadel
Rated 14 Aug 2007
8
93rd
Rather than imitating the classic noirs, it reinterprets them into a totally different setting. The acting is spot-on, the tension builds to an unbearable point, and the rhythm of the dialogue is spot on the noirs it calls homage to. I really enjoy this film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
paxtenebraepaxtenebrae
Rated 25 Jan 2007
95
92nd
The idea of this film on paper doesn't look like it should work. Crime noir as seen through the lense of high school life. If that's all I'd heard about this film I would have scoffed and passed it by. Damn, I'm glad I didn't. This movie not only works on every level I could ask for, but also oozes with style and little winks to the good ol' Noir films of the past. What a great, great, great film.
Rated 25 Jan 2007
freqflyerfreqflyer
Rated 08 Dec 2009
70
29th
Kinda neat, but the affected way they talk got kind of irritating about 20 minutes into the film. Also, it was REALLY REPETITIVE.
Rated 08 Dec 2009
jimjoebobjimjoebob
Rated 07 Sep 2010
90
91st
A modern hard-boiled detective story, with a gang twist. One of the more interesting detective stories I've ever seen. I want to watch it again just thinking about it.
Rated 07 Sep 2010
brandt64brandt64
Rated 21 Jul 2009
75
55th
Starts off fun and stylish, but it begins to lose its luster as it becomes increasingly serious and convoluted. The attempt at drama here just doesn't work. The dialog is a mixed bag of biting wit and superfluous obscurity. I generally hate it when they try to force a certain style into speech (see: Juno), but it works here, for the most part. No such complaints can be taken with the camera work, which is universally fantastic. This film shows ambition but leaves a little to be desired.
Rated 21 Jul 2009
bkudriabkudria
Rated 05 Nov 2007
92
76th
An excellent 40s-style gangster movie, except it's set in SoCal, and all the gangsters are high schoolers. Brilliant.
Rated 05 Nov 2007
sharpcoolsharpcool
Rated 17 Feb 2009
40
11th
An indie movie with muffled and mumbled dialogue that is hard to hear. Overly weird characters who aren't actual human beings and speak in a monotone.
Rated 17 Feb 2009
chemical404chemical404
Rated 26 Apr 2009
84
97th
Rian Johnson knows his noirs. Yes, it's not realistic, and this film doesn't go for realism. It deliberately reminds that these tough gangsters and femme fatales are just kids for whom mothers make breakfast. But it goes for a style and nails it perfectly. I see how geniality behind this film can be easily mistaken for pretentiousness. New take on old genre using very unconventional setting, and that might really bother some fans of the real film-noir. So far best neo-noir of the decade.
Rated 26 Apr 2009
gordonbombayGordonBombay
Rated 25 Sep 2010
89
85th
Surprisingly good! Film noir at a high school seams like a recipe for disaster, but somehow Rian Johnson pulls it off. This movie belongs on a list of all time best film noir movies simply because it dares to challenge the rules of film noir. Gordon-Levitt has never been better, he owns the part and thereby the movie. Step aside Sam Spade, Brendan will take care of business from now on!
Rated 25 Sep 2010
pineapplepineapple
Rated 16 Jul 2014
100
95th
I would have never thought that the genres of noir and high school drama could go so well together. The soundtrack is flawless and the acting is peculiar in an indescribable way that somehow enhances the whole. The plot isn't especially distinguished but, I think, it doesn't need to be; it's the stylistic choices that make this movie what it is.
Rated 16 Jul 2014
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 23 Mar 2007
75
89th
Very good.
Rated 23 Mar 2007
ktappektappe
Rated 18 Nov 2007
15
5th
Not nearly as witty as it thinks it is. Yes, it attempts to be film noir. But that fails miserably because the viewer is left wondering "What kind of angst can inexperienced high school kids possibly have compared to the real world?" It also doesn't work as a farce because it makes no fun of the genre. It's not even cute--it's just nothing.
Rated 18 Nov 2007
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 13 Dec 2012
68
24th
The premise of this movie is a great idea to have a Film Noir set in a high school. However as much as I want to like this movie it does not quite work in the end. The characters and the plot seem to be working against each other. Joseph Gordon-Levitt does give another good, compelling performance.
Rated 13 Dec 2012
starvinstarvin
Rated 06 Jun 2010
100
95th
A guy who plays every situation correctly to weave through his mess and get him self in deep.
Rated 06 Jun 2010
peppertpeppert
Rated 20 Nov 2011
50
24th
All art begins with honesty because it can only bring you in if you can share a common base. There is nothing honest about this film. It's wanna-be Wes Anderson dialogue and characters that gets lost in its own pastiche. Too self-serious, too edgy for its own design.
Rated 20 Nov 2011
totoroTotoro.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
95
97th
One of the best films of the decade.
Rated 08 Sep 2009
ericamblerericambler
Rated 28 Jun 2022
76
65th
Weird, gimmicky, cleverly plotted, and extra-cinematic. In other words, a Rian Johnson film.
Rated 28 Jun 2022
skitzkowskiskitzkowski
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
Easily the best and only highschool noir I've seen. The landscape is barren and dry, a dark atmosphere throughout. The dialogue is sharp, and edgy, and carries a distinct classic detective dialogue. The mystery and suspense in this movie is perfect with Gordon-Levitt. Brilliant movie. Extremely captivating. Watch this!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
guy_piranhaguy piranha
Rated 05 Feb 2012
70
69th
very enjoyable, but what bugged me was the scale. the plot did not fit the high school-setting, they should've gone a step farther. everything that happened was played down a bit, because it was happening on some schoolyard, backyard or in someones basement. this way, it had an undeserving air of "kids trying to shoot a gangster movie".
Rated 05 Feb 2012
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 28 Jun 2008
80
90th
Nice movie
Rated 28 Jun 2008
dean_franzDean Franz
Rated 18 Jun 2008
10
11th
Noir as done by a bunch of selfimportant highschool twits. The cinematic equivalent of listening to Limp Bizkit covering "Behind blue eyes".
Rated 18 Jun 2008

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