Clearly? Or darkly?

''The pain, so unexpected and undeserved had for some reason cleared away the cobwebs. I realized I didn't hate the cabinet door, I hated my life... My house, my family, my backyard, my power mower. Nothing would ever change; nothing new could ever be expected. It had to end, and it did. Now in the dark world where I dwell, ugly things, and surprising things, and sometimes little wondrous things, spill out in me constantly, and I can count on nothing.''

An undercover cop in a not-too-distant future becomes involved with a dangerous new drug and begins to lose his own identity as a result.

Keanu Reeves: Bob Arctor

Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly(2006) is a humanistic and undeniably heartbreaking adaptation of Phillip K Dick's novel. What works is the film's pre-occupation with the human condition; focusing on the emotional and psychological effects of substance abuse, relationships, and essentially, trust; or lack of trust.



The performances are wonderful. Keanu Reeves' portrayal of Bob/Fred is incredibly sensitive and thoughtful. His final scene in the field, picking a blue flower, showed what a subtle and textured actor he can be. Winona Ryder is also really moving as Donna, the object of Bob/Fred's desires. Every word homes in. She seemed to capture a sense of mystery, eternal sorrow, and confusion within the phrasing of her dialogue and the tiniest of exchanges with Keanu. The scene in which the couple argue about Donna's refusal of intimacy is excellent and the chemistry really tense. There's a wonderful sense of rhythm within the delivery, and the emotion is raw. It is a good comeback. As for Downey Jr and Harrelson; they work incredibly well, bouncing off one another with the air of camp, dry wit and fun. Blowing smoke rings, watching someone choke, freaking out about a nine speed bike and the state of the universe, are all delivered with conviction and strength. Downey's Barris is stern; but also a lot of fun. Whilst Harrelson really shines when utterly confused, stoned, and paranoid.

''Total total total totally total total... total providence.''

The animation is also truly beautiful. It is rich, and artistically vibrant. It works in the film's favour, conveying a sense of hyper-reality that is also embedded within every day life. It feels real, rather than detached or futuristic. We are engrossed, not removed from the story or its characters.
The animated overlay very clever too, especially that scramble suit, which conceals its wearer's identity.
Some really clever and funny scenes that amuse and seem totally pointless. Loving the characters having idea bubbles or Freck's suicide note with the alien, Freck holding Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead; A truthful, powerful testament and compliment to Philip K Dick. Amazing how their conversations always end up being from bicycle to silenced foiled guns to paranoia about someone being in their house.
There's a major twist and may take more than one viewing to appreciate the complex ending. So amazing when you piece it together. Richard Linklater did a wonderful job directing and executing this. It has become a Graphic novel that comes to life with artistic realism that conveys the druggy state of the movie's message.
The story runs at an exciting pace; keeping you on the edge of your seat to continue and uncover Bob Arctor's fate. Will he be arrested although he is taking surveillance of himself? Or will he be able to find a bigger fish to fry while making his cover and descent to hell mean something? The layers Linklater has sewn together here are all superimposed on each other to great effect.

The language has many quotable passages that you can almost feel are Dick's words; for this I commend Linklater for the courage to stick to the real heart of the story. I almost don't have to mention the roto-scoping effect used, similar to the director's previous gem Waking Life. Without the freedom animation allows, the movie could not have been as successful as it is. I praise all involved as this journey continues with its laughs and tears all culminating in the heartbreaking finale, that when looking back really is the only way it could have played out. Also, it was a very nice touch, before the credits, having Philip K. Dick's memoriam for all his friends that had died or suffered immensely from the effects of drugs. A Scanner Darkly tries to give meaning to their descent and a glimmer of hope for the future to one day rid itself of the voluntary plague of drugs represented by Substance D.

''What does a scanner see? Into the head? Into the heart? Does it see into me? Clearly? Or darkly? Clearly or darkly? I hope it sees clearly, because I can't any longer see into myself. I see only murk. I hope for everyone's sake the scanners do better. Because if the scanner sees only darkly, the way I do, then I'm cursed and cursed again. I'll only wind up dead this way, knowing very little, and getting that little fragment wrong too.''


10/10