A Scanner Darkly

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matrixman
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A Scanner Darkly

Post by matrixman »

Recently saw this film. Superb! Quite moved by it. Funny, poignant, and yes, dark. Very nice ensemble work from Wynona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. Even if you don't like these actors, the animation process used for this film is beautiful to watch. It's interesting how turning the actors into animated characters exaggerates and amplifies each actor's individual mannerisms.

The movie is directed by Richard Linklater, who has made some of my favorite films over the past decade. I like his stories for their level-headed sensibility. His characters are always sniffing out the BS in the world. Sharp and intelligent dialogue is a hallmark of his films, and that continues in A Scanner Darkly.

The film is based on Philip K. Dick's novel of the same name, which I have not read. (I'll do that after my current re-read of Dune). So I can't speak for the novel, but the movie is basically about a narcotics agent (Keanu Reeves) who becomes addicted to the very drug that his police unit is ostensibly trying to bring under control. Weirdness ensues. The story is set sometime in the "near future" - a standard Dickian device, it seems.

Given that Linklater's films tend to about people questioning the meaning of life and their place in the world, it's a natural fit for him to adapt a Philip K. Dick story, since Dick's characters often confront questions of identity and what it means to be human.

Highly recommended movie. I eagerly await the DVD. 8)
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CovenantJr
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Post by CovenantJr »

I was considering seeing this, and your recommendation has made up my mind. Sounds good.
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Cail
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Post by Cail »

Scanner is arguably Dick's best work. I'm more than a little nervous to see how it's translated to film. I think I may wait 'till it comes on cable.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
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"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
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"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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Post by Holsety »

IMO they sometimes hammer the point in on a few things. What with the "flowers to my friends". Was alright, though. My dad, who read the book, said it was a fair movie but didn't do justice to the book. I believe he said they left out some stuff that made it better. I figure I'll read it sometime, but right now I'm kinder busy, so it's not on the "soon" list.

No offense to matrix fans, especially not you matrixman, but while I did think Keanu did fine in this movie (gasps ensue) my bro pointed out that most of the movies he's in that are enjoyable involve him being confused, not really sure what's going on, etc. Or stupid like Bill and Ted; maybe not a great movie, but hey.

And even though it's serious, like most dark works it manages some nice, ironic humor - I assume this is Dick's contribution rather than the director's, but a certain character's death is both well written and well animated.
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Post by kevinswatch »

I saw that this was playing at the local independant film theater place next to campus, and I was really thinking about seeing it, but I forgot to go back. And now it's not playing there any more. Bah.

I'll have to find some other way to see this.-jay
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Post by CovenantJr »

It's still showing in Nottingham, Jay. :P
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Post by kevinswatch »

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks. :P -jay
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matrixman
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Post by matrixman »

Holsety wrote:IMO they sometimes hammer the point in on a few things. What with the "flowers to my friends". Was alright, though. My dad, who read the book, said it was a fair movie but didn't do justice to the book. I believe he said they left out some stuff that made it better. I figure I'll read it sometime, but right now I'm kinder busy, so it's not on the "soon" list.
I had thought about reading the book before seeing the movie, but I wanted to catch the movie while it was still in theatres. Anyway, I always try to enjoy movie adaptations on their own terms, without thinking too much about how faithful they are to the source material. It's not easy, but I do try.
No offense to matrix fans, especially not you matrixman, but while I did think Keanu did fine in this movie (gasps ensue) my bro pointed out that most of the movies he's in that are enjoyable involve him being confused, not really sure what's going on, etc. Or stupid like Bill and Ted; maybe not a great movie, but hey.
No offense taken, Holsety. Just because my username is a blatant reference to you-know-what doesn't mean I've sold my soul to Keanu or the Wachowski Bros. I wouldn't mind having Keanu's bank account, of course, but that's another story. :P

I would pretty much agree with your brother. Keanu is very convincing at playing confused and/or stupid. That persona works for Keanu. It makes him likeable, in my view. Whereas other actors who play confused and stupid come across as obnoxious jackasses with zero redeeming qualities. *cough* Martin Lawrence *cough*
And even though it's serious, like most dark works it manages some nice, ironic humor - I assume this is Dick's contribution rather than the director's, but a certain character's death is both well written and well animated.
Well, when you or I have read the book or when Cail has seen the movie, I guess we'll know who contributed what. :) However, I do know Linklater's films, and they're pretty funny and irreverent in their own way. But yes, I'm aware that Dick's stories do contain much ironic humour amid the darkness and paranoia. I'm also aware that, in the case of Blade Runner, a lot of Dick's humour got lost in the translation to film. Blade Runner the film has its own charms, but I won't get into that here. (But I will elsewhere... :biggrin: )

Cail is probably shaking his head at me for not having had the willpower to pick up a Philip K. Dick novel all this time, especially since his novels are slim enough that maybe even I could read one in a day. What can I say? I'm a very good procrastinator. And it's sooo much easier to just sit and watch a movie. Most of the time. :P
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Post by Cail »

Oh man, you're missing so much though!

Just grab a collection of his short stories and start there....You'll be hooked in no time.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
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CovenantJr
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Post by CovenantJr »

Disappointed. :(

Not by the film, though. I'm disappointed because I missed it by ONE DAY. Grrrraaaaaaggghhh! :evil:
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Post by matrixman »

Yeah, that's why I decided to see the movie early in its run. I suspected that it wouldn't last long in theatres, given the bleak subject matter as well as the relative lack of promotion.

Friday is payday, so I might finally pick up a Dick novel or two, since this movie and Blade Runner has been on my mind a lot lately. Cheap bastard that I am, I tried to find some Dick novels in used bookstores, but no such luck.
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Cail
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Post by Cail »

There's plenty of Dick on Ebay.














Sorry, couldn't help myself.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
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Post by CovenantJr »

:haha:
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matrixman
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Post by matrixman »

:lol:

Believe it or not, I've yet to buy or even look at anything on Ebay.
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Post by Cail »

I've actually picked up a fair amount of stuff on it. It's great for books and music.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
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Post by [Syl] »

Just finished watching it. Great movie. Scanner is one of the few Dick novels I haven't read, but I have to say they do a great job of conveying the atmosphere of his work.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
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Post by A Gunslinger »

PKD is great...anyone ever read any Theodore Sturgeon? I know there must be a better thread for this...I lack discipline.
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matrixman
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Post by matrixman »

Glad you liked the movie, Syl! I meant to buy the DVD today (er, that would be yesterday now) but got sidetracked. And I am sooo far behind in my reading. Still haven't touched any of Dick's books.
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