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.
Director:Richard Linklater
Writers:Philip K. Dick (novel), Richard Linklater (screenplay)
Stars:Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Robert Downey Jr. |
Storyline
In a totalitarian society in a near future, the undercover detective Bob Archor is working with a small time group of drug users trying to reach the big distributors of a brain-damaging drug called Substance D. His assignment is promoted by the recovery center New Path Corporation, and when Bob begins to lose his own identity and have schizophrenic behavior, he is submitted to tests to check his mental conditions.User Reviews
Dick fans and drug film lovers rejoice
I love Philip K. Dick's
work and was pleased with this adaptation of "A Scanner Darkly." Keanu
Reeves does a really good job in the lead - he's in his element here -
but he's really upstaged by Robert Downey Jr. and Woody Harrelson who
engage in some surreal and hilarious conversations. It's like you're
sitting with a bunch of guys tripping. Needless to say, some of the
dialogue is hilarious, and I can see this film becoming another cult
classic. (When they talk about two hemispheres being separate, I
couldn't help but think about "Repo Man.") As for the animation, I found
it a bit distracting. I think I would have preferred the use of CGI
when it came to the agent suit that continually blends the faces of
about 1 million people so that the agent isn't recognized. If you like
drug films, then this is a must see. If that's not your bag, then you
might have some problems with the film. It's sometimes obtuse and the
story a bit convoluted. It's best to sit back and experience the film.
It's a drug trip in itself.
