Pressed to think of good movies from 2006? Chances are you missed a whole lot of them. Some of the most innovative films of the year challenged genres and set precedents, such as Del Toro's enchanted Pan's Labyrinth, the endearing Little Miss Sunshine, the witty and satirical Thank You For Smoking, and the magical, mystical tones of The Prestige and The Illusionist.
Other films simply blew us away from the edge of our seats with heart pounding action, intriguing story lines and convincing performances. Everyone remembers the first time they saw The Departed and couldn't budge for two-and-a-half hours, sympathizing with Denzel Washington and trying to guess their way through Inside Man, (one of Clive Owen's two great performances for that year along with the thought provoking Children of Men). One of my personal favorites for the year remains The Proposition, a breathtaking Australian western. Even movie-musicals set the bar higher, with Dreamgirls, which introduced the formidable talent of Jennifer Hudson.
However thrilling, exciting or funny all the above movies may have been, one film from 2006 stands out as unique and more genre defying than any other: Rian Johnson's "Brick."
An infinitely clever and witty combination of 1940s detective film noir with a Californian high school blends into a highly entertaining and constantly surprising movie night.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt's biggest appearance since Third Rock From the Sun establishes him as a capable and impressive acting force. His persistent, interrogating and seemingly unstoppable character reminds the audience of a Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade performance. Other lesser known, but comparably enjoyable actors present themselves as the expected film noir characters: the damsel in distress, the femme fatale and the dangerous kingpin with his right hand muscle.
Gordon-Levitt's character, Brendan Frye, begins the film determined to make his way into the high-school drug culture underground with an intent of making sure his ex-girlfriend, who has been MIA, isn't in any danger, or threatened by her new lifestyle. His endeavor leads him in deeper and deeper until he begins discovering disturbing truths about the darkness of this unfamiliar world.
The film is fast-paced, with cutting and snappy dialogue, and to fully appreciate it you must be as quick with your wits as the characters are. Watch it with the mentality and attention to detail of a detective and you'll be sure to enjoy Johnson's film work. Watch it expecting a predictable teen drama, and you're wasting your time.
Happy Viewing!
-Dave Theisen
Quick List to Rent for 2006:
Pan's Labyrinth
The Departed
Inside Man
Little Miss Sunshine
Brick
Children of Men
Thank You For Smoking
The Prestige
The Illusionist
The Proposition
Dreamgirls
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The Departed is one of my favorite movies!!!!!!
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