INSPIRED BY THE MOST NOTORIOUS UNSOLVED MURDER IN CALIFORNIA HISTORY.
Los Angeles, 1946. Cops Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) try to find whoever murdered and mutilated a young woman; they also share a troubled relationship with Kay Lake (Scarlett Johansson). A lot of people had a right to expect another L.A. Confidential out of this James Ellroy-Brian De Palma collaboration, but sadly it was not to be. Based on a real-life story, the final half hour reveals all the interesting intrigue that should have set the film on fire… but everything preceding it is a bit dull, apart from the director’s usual stylistic touches. Hartnett is also a weak lead.
2006-U.S.-Germany. 121 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed byĀ Brian De Palma. Novel: James Ellroy. Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond. Cast: Josh Hartnett (Dwight “Bucky” Bleichert), Scarlett Johansson (Kay Lake), Aaron Eckhart (Lee Blanchard), Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, Mike Starr… Rose McGowan. Cameos: Kevin Dunn, k.d. lang.
Trivia: Mark Wahlberg was allegedly considered for the part of Lee; David Fincher for directing duties.Ā