Sorry, this isn't a review, it's just a rant! Is this film the most pretentious, tedious pile of crap EVER, or is it me?
Have just endured most of it on DVD before retreating to bed with Kate Atkinson (in a manner of speaking).
Would love to know what others think. Seemed to me that the director's favourite films were Clockwork Orange, Bugsy Malone and the Maltese Falcon and one day had the 'brainwave' to try and mix them all up.
Pah!

I saw this at the cinema. It is film noir: it has all the elements of hard-boiled cinema, the sharp dialogue, the concern with the underbelly of society, the femme fatale, the final twist. It was even black and white if I recall. All this in a contemporary setting of a high school with teenagers as the . Now I like film noir and liked the conceit of the director in doing it, but ultimately it was a cold and contrived film for me.

I left it feeling intellectually satisfied and slightly smug that I'd 'got it' but beyond that it was unedifying.

Mischa

Hi Mischa
No, it wasn't black and white but I know exactly what you mean - that's why I mentioned the Maltese Falcon. The language was trying to be very 'hard-boiled' and noirish, wasn't it, but just came across as irritating and pretentious in my opinion. Do you know what I mean about Clockwork Orange too? And the painfully young faces so heavily made up also seemed to have such a Bugsy Malone element. Personally I found it intellectually UNsatisfying, but I'm glad you got something from it! I loathed it with a passion (can you tell?)
Thanks for replying.

I found it a bit flat, to be fair.

JB

Load of old tosh, mate

It was interesting to see the grown up Elliot out of ET though, if nothing else.

JB

I'd never heard of this until I found this thread, but I have to say, it is the most uninspiring title.

I'd never heard of this until I found this thread, but I have to say, it is the most uninspiring title.

And yet the word "Brick" inspired you to look at the thread!

I'm quite disappointed I didn't notice Eliot from ET. Would have enhanced the experience quite a lot.

I must say that some alcohol had passed my lips when I wrote that 'review'...which probably doesn't come as a huge surprise.

And yet the word "Brick" inspired you to look at the thread

Ah ha!

Actually, it was the fact that I saw the intriguing opening gambit, 'Sorry. This isn't a review.' That's what got my attention. Plus the fact that it was written by the gorgeous CSG.

Ah, thank you Saph...
Do you know, after my cheekiness about the pink Vaio, I have found myself falling in love with - and buying - a bright blue one. I'm all a quiver at the thought of it arriving on Tuesday...