Brick

Rian Johnson, USA, 2005, 110 minutes

First-time writer/director Rian Johnson gives us playground sunshine noir set amongst the teenage haves and have-nots of California. Equally indebted to the work of David Lynch and Aaron Spelling (think Mulholland Drive meets The O.C.) Brick is a sophisticated mystery complete with loner hero (Joseph Gordon Levitt in another great role, following his masterful performance in Mysterious Skin) damaged good girl Emily (Emilie de Ravin) and knowing femme fatale Laura (Nora Zehetner). Brick uses its own brand of slang to create an atmosphere that is contemporary, while at the same time recalling the distinctive language of noir in the 1940s. Murder, lust, obscure drugs and more American Apparel leggings than you can shake a stick at!

Review by Sarah Artt
Written for EUFS Programme Spring 2007