A Scanner Darkly (2006)

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  May 7, 2007

  brooklynspo

  This film did not quite reach it's potential. Great source material, acting (casting!) and visuals but the storytelling is sluggish and muddled and there is little opportunity for the viewer to identify with any of the characters' multiple identities.

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  May 23, 2012

  MrMarakai

  In 2002, director Richard Linklater delivered a, little-seen, gem of a film called "Waking Life". In this, he used an animation technique called 'rotoscoping'. Basically it was animation added over live actors. The results were highly effective and he decided to use the technique... read more here, on this adaptation of Philip K. Dick's paranoid science fiction novel. Once again, the results are superb.
  In the near future, Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves) an undercover cop, is given the assignment to bring down a vast network of drug distribution dealing in "Substance D" - which is highly addictive and mind altering. He fully immerses himself in the lifestyle, to the point were he has become an addict himself and even his superiors don't know his cover story. As a result, they order him to spy on himself. Being under the influence regularly, it causes him to lose his grip on reality where nothing is clear anymore.
  This was a film that had gained interest from a couple of notable players in the film business. Director Terry Gilliam ("The Fisher King", "12 Monkeys") was interested at one point and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman ("Being John Malkovich", "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind") had actually drafted a screenplay that was eventually unused. One can only wonder at what might have came of this adaptation had they been involved but that doesn't lessen the fact that Linklater has done a sterling job here. For a start, his decision to implement the "interpolated rotoscoping" animation again was a stroke of genius. On "Waking Life" it complimented the existential dream-like story and it is used similarly on this film. It's a technique that could be in danger of overuse but when the story and characters themselves are operating from an occasional surreal point of view, rotoscoping is perfectly fitting. It serves as a metaphor for the characters' drug induced alternate realities and allows us to identify with their paranoia and personal identity. You'd be forgiven for thinking that it might take away from the actors' performances but it doesn't. In some ways it enhances them. Reeves is an actor that has came in for some criticism throughout his career but he's really rather good here and the support, from Harrelson and especially Downey Jr, is excellent. Who better to be included in a film of substance abuse than a couple of actors who have dabbled in their time? The script is also very faithful to Philip K. Dick's writing. You can tell Linklater has invested a lot of his time in adapting, what is essentially, some of Dick's own paranoid thoughts - he was heavily involved in the abuse of amphetamines and psychedelics - and explores the usual themes involved in his novels; the sociological and political aspects of human society under the control of an authoritarian government. If your a fan of Dick's musings then you'll find them all here. The only fault with the film could be found in it's slightly lethargic pace but the visuals and thought provoking content are so astounding that the pace is forgiven. Sometimes Philip K. Dick's stories are not given the proper treatment in movies. There are stinkers like "Next" and "Paycheck" but this ranks very highly alongside the successful ones like "Total Recall" and especially "Blade Runner".
  A thought-provoking head-trip of a film that delivers both intellectually and visually.

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• 
  
  May 4, 2012

  fb733768972

  While I do not recommend this film to everyone, it is a must see. "A Scanner Darkly" follows drug addicts who are hiding from society, after the war on drugs was lost. This film takes place years into the future, while staying true to the fact that the future will not be much dif... read moreferent than it is now. I really enjoyed the converted animation, which truly expressed the story even more. I must say that it can become a little hard to follow at times and the story can become a little disjointed, but the heart of the story is what truly matters and director Richard Linklater knows what and why he is making (this movie). The performances are witty and loveable, the script is very well written, and the conclusion really tells the audience how much of an impact drugs can have on someones life. I really enjoyed "A Scanner Darkly," and even though it will not appeal to everyone, I give it a solid recommendation!

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  February 18, 2012

  paulkoh110

  After multiple viewings, this film is takes a new approach to drugs.The cinematography is vivid and Keanu Reeves isn't as robotic as he always is. Its really something.

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• 
  
  April 21, 2011

  flixsterman

  Interesting confluence of live action and animation coupled with imaginative (albeit bizarre) scripting.

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• 
  
  March 16, 2011

  fb100001493964409

  I really don't know what to say about this one. If I say too much about the plot, I could give away some massive spoilers, so I'll refrain from mentioning it. This is a very dialogue driven film with some nice performances to back up the bizarre visual style. The final thing I'm ... read moregoing to note here is that Robert Downey Jr. absolutely steals the show. Every scene he is in is an absolute joy to watch and his character is easily one of the film's biggest highlights. The first half is decent, but the second half manages to pick up the slack and kicks things into high gear. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but brilliant nevertheless.

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• 
  
  February 3, 2011

  crunchbunch

  A Scanner Darkly takes you down the rabbit hole, spins you around 5 times while asking you 20 questions.
  
  20% of the Worlds population are addicted to the fictional drug, Substance D and we follow a group of addicts as the drug begins to slowly destroy their minds.
  
  Fully an... read moreimated, we get a surreal picture of the world through a Substance D user and the continual blurring of the line between what is real and what is not. Animation has never been so cool.
  
  A Scanner Darkly will leave you feeling confused and trippy but most of all the poignancy of the dedication of those lost or permantly damaged by drugs will make you saddended for the lives truly effected by drug addiction.
  
  "D... Substance D. "D" is dumbness, and despair, desertion-desertion of you from your friends, your friends from you, everyone from everyone. Isolation and loneliness... and hating and suspecting each other, "D" is finally death. Slow death from the head down. Well... that's it. "

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• 
  
  January 26, 2011

  ythelastman89

  Such a cool movie with some truly amazing visuals. It doesn't feel like an animated movie, but a drug inhibited story seen through its protagonist's eyes. Keanu Reeves and Robert Downey Jr. are both perfect in their roles and give legitimacy to what might have been seen as a cart... read moreoon movie with no substance. The manipulation of reality is so effective and it's what makes Philip K. Dick's story all the more convincing. It's one of the most ambitious ways to tell a pretty non-flashy sci-fi story and for the most part, it's flawless.

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• 
  
  December 10, 2010

  FilmFanatik

  Visually interesting, but fails on a cinematic level. The ideas there are intriguing and thought-provoking, but I couldn't really get on board with the characters and understand them and what their motivations were.

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• 
  
  June 23, 2010

  fb619846742

  A lively film concerning a trio of drug users (Keanu Reeves, Woody Harrelson, and Robert Downey Jr.), and how one of them (Reeves) is an undercover cop assigned to infiltrate the people they are associated with. An impressive, ambitious experiment done in the "Waking Life" animat... read moreion vein that director Richard Linklater failed with before - here it works wonders. Although the two films have next to no comparisons asides from the animation aspect (I guess you could make a case for the vernacular being almost to the advanced level that "Waking Life" featured as well), it does beg for an analysis. Instead of featuring talking heads with no dimensions other than their philosophical thoughts, Linklater fleshes out his animated characters in a workmanlike manner. The animation also does wonders for the story that in the sense that Linklater isn't just showing us another dirty, dark sort of drug story we've seen hundreds of times, as he brings even the most disgusting settings to life through the use of vibrant colors.
  
  Keanu Reeves makes a strong case for being the most inconsistent actor in the film industry. He can give good, solid performances like this (as well as "Speed" and "The Matrix") or just downright awful performances ("Constantine", "Point Break", and "Street Kings"). Robert Downey Jr. is routinely terrific in a very funny role, complemented well by an equally off the wall Woody Harrelson. While it misses greatness by just a tad (the ending isn't as satisfying as it tries to be), it's definitely a film worth experiencing.

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• Keanu Reeves as Bob Arctor
• Robert Downey Jr. as James 'Jim' Barris
• Woody Harrelson as Ernie Luckman
• Winona Ryder as Donna Hawthorn
• Rory Cochrane as Charles Freck
• Mitch Baker as Brown Bear Lodge Host
• Sean Allen as Additional Fred Scramble Suit Voice
• Cliff Haby as Voice From Headquarters
• Steven Chester Prince as Cop

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

• 
  Waking Life (83%)
• 
  Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (75%)
• 
  Spun (95%)
• 
  Next (58%)

• • James 'Jim' Barris: In this day and age, the type of society we find ourselves living in, every person of worth needs to have a gun at all times to protect themselves.
• • James 'Jim' Barris: This is a world getting progressively worse. Can we not agree on that?
• • Ernie Luckman: Let's just go rescue the orphan gears, Dude!
• • Bob Arctor: Everywhere else can be monitored, but no not at New Path.
  • Donna Hawthorn: [in the scramble suit] Hey, that's their contract with the gonernment.
• • James 'Jim' Barris: There's only one thing we can do to thwart the plot of these albino shape-shifting lizard BITCHES!
• • Ernie Luckman: What if they come in through the back door or the bathroom window like that infamous Beatles song?

• In this 2006 science fiction movie of decrepit Los Angelas, a cop studies the effect of drug called D. Man becomes disorientated. Movie stars Keanu Reeves. Robert Downey, Jr.,Woody Harrelson, Rory Cockrane, and Winona Ryder. Movie is__  Answer »
• What bugs does Freck see everywhere? [A Scanner Darkly]  Answer »
• What are the common denominator of these movies? blade runner total recall minority report screamers paycheck a scanner darkly next  Answer »
• Which authors book is the film A Scanner Darkly based on?  Answer »

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• Trailer
• A Scanner Darkly Trailer
• Sins of Freck
• A Scanner Darkly Scene 7
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• A Scanner Darkly Scene 2

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