Dark City (1998) Rated R for violence, gore, nudity, and some mild profanity. ---------- Out of 4 stars: **** (4 Stars)
Starring: Rufus Sewell, William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O'Brien, and Ian Richardson.
In 1994, a film was released which became a major box office success mostly due to the controversy surrounding the picture. This film was THE CROW, and its star, Brandon Lee, was killed due a faulty blank bullet. The dark mood of the film and its story was given a haunting twist due to the loss of its star. The director, Alex Proyas, used special effects to finish the film without Lee, and audiences flocked to see how Proyas would end the movie. However, what was most startling aspect wasn't the controversy, but its rich atmosphere. This film marked the beginning of a director's career that would only grow with his next film.
DARK CITY is a highly anticipated film which deals with a subject that requires thinking to be done in the theater. Science fiction films have been the genre most widely known for creating thought-provoking subjects. However, due to the success of big-budget films such as INDEPENDENCE DAY and MEN IN BLACK, thoughtful science fiction films have become a thing of the past in pursuit of more expensive and loud films. If you don't believe me, just look at the good science fiction movies which have done poorly at the box office (THE ARRIVAL and GATTACA to name a couple). And from the look of the film, DARK CITY will follow on the same path as those films.
The film itself is a step up from Proyas' debut film, with a better story, better production values, and a terrifyingly realistic premise. It's still science fiction, but many of the ideas underlying the film can be interpreted into our own lives. Beginning with an interesting monologue from an unseen character, we are told that a race of aliens have discovered the planet Earth. The narrator likes to refer to them as The Strangers, as they have a ghost-like quality to them. The main plot begins in a small, cramped room, with only one light swinging overhead. A man lies naked in a bathtub, and suddenly awakens, startled to find himself there. This man is afflicted with amnesia, but more startling is the dead prostitute in the bedroom. He grabs some clothes from a chair, and finds a set of keys in the pocket. A phone call interrupts the silence, and the voice on the other line belongs to a Dr. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland), telling him to get out of the apartment quickly. He complies, and as he leaves, the elevator opens to reveal three ominous, pale figures.
He discovers that his name is John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), and that he has a wife, Emma (Jennifer Connelly). At home, however, he finds Inspector Frank Bumstead (William Hurt) waiting to question him about the murder. Since not even remembering committing it, Murdoch flees, but finds himself in an even more precarious situation. At midnight, exactly, as he tries to find Dr. Schreber, all the noises in the city stop. As he watches, the clocks stop moving, people fall asleep at the wheel of their cars, and trains stop running. Then, he watches as several Strangers walk out of a door which has appeared from a wall. Dr. Schreber follows. The confusion only increases when the city becomes alive, as buildings sprout out of the ground.
Revealing any more of the plot would spoil the mystery, and the mystery is what keeps the story buoyant. It seems that many of the great science fiction films are about the unknown (2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, CONTACT). DARK CITY uses its mystery to wonderful effect, and ends with a surprise ending that doesn't seem contrived or forced. Instead, it finishes the film with a flourish, giving another level of meaning for us to ponder over. And by the end of the film, DARK CITY equals the many classics of the past, such as BLADE RUNNER and SOLARIS. Many people won't like the film because it may seem like a muddled mess, but it isn't. Many critics don't like the almost non-existent lighting, but that has a purpose in the film. The film noir setting is emphasized by the darkness, and an entire plot twist centers around the everlasting darkness. Critics who complain about the film obviously aren't thinking during the film, and this spoils their enjoyment. DARK CITY entertains while hiding the message under its visually impressive surface.
Alex Proyas has constructed a masterfully ingenious science fiction film which toys with the imagination while preaching to its audience. His thoughts on humanity are never easy to grasp, and yet they are a basic function of our human lives. This simplistic approach becomes frightening as we realize that we as human beings are really like the characters portrayed in the film. Proyas, who also wrote the screenplay, never asks any easy questions, and the answers are left for us to determine. Proyas' direction maintains the steady monotony of darkness, but the film never gets boring. There is quite enough action to maintain anyone's attention, including some awe-inspiring chase sequences that had me cheering with delight. The pace of the film is so tight and so continuous that one wishes Proyas would have stretched the running time even more. Several of the scenes seem quickly cut, and Proyas could have taken more time with each scene (but this is just a minor flaw).
Then, there are the special effects. No science fiction film goes without them, and what makes the thought-provoking science fiction films separate from the destroy-everything-on-screen films is simple: the special effects in the latter group are more obvious. When a film uses special effects to its advantage, everyone should take note. Everyone seemed to have with TITANIC, but that's only the tip of the iceberg (pardon the pun). DARK CITY uses special effects so flawlessly, that many people forget that they are effects. I am one of those people. The effects are so seamless that it's hard to tell what is and what isn't real. When the buildings twist and bend, you find yourself submerged in the story and characters so much that the effects seem realistic. When a film can suspend your belief by making everything as real as possible, it deserves to be noticed.
As with all films, the cast is an essential part to the overall impact. If the wrong cast is chosen, the film won't have the same impression. DARK CITY has a top-notch cast, with zany characters and terrific performances all-around. Leading is Rufus Sewell who turns in a solid performance on an ever-growing and impressive resume. In 1996, he appeared in HAMLET as Fortinbras, and in 1995's COLD COMFORT FARM. He can also be seen in the recent Dangerous Beauty. Sewell commands the screen, never letting anything overpower his presence. William Hurt also turns in a rather humorous performance as the older Inspector, who is baffled by the mystery unfolding before him. Kiefer Sutherland portrays Dr. Schreber with a frightened sense of knowledge. He is the only human being who knows what is going on, and his rasping breath gives his character an almost haunting sound. Jennifer Connelly is perfect as the film noir-ish vixen, unable to understand the mad rantings of her husband (and yet she still loves him). Then, there are the Strangers. The most prominent are Richard O'Brien (from THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW fame) and Ian Richardson who appeared in the visually-similar BRAZIL. The Strangers speak in monotone and eerie voices, almost like an echo coming of the walls. Overall, an impressive cast to accentuate the style.
DARK CITY is rated R for violence and gore, nudity, and some light profanity. DARK CITY could have easily been rated PG-13, though the subject itself may have warranted an R rating. With sets that resemble BLADE RUNNER and other various science fiction films, many people are likely to think that DARK CITY merely copied those other films. However, the story presented is true to life, and the result is an original film that has something to say. Of course, as my philosophy goes towards science fiction films, DARK CITY won't find a big audience, and that's a real shame. DARK CITY deserves to be watched again and again. The visuals are rich and dark, the style is gloomy but not overwhelming, and the action is top-notch. This is already one of the year's best movies, and it deserves to be held as an early Oscar contender.
Reviewed by Respect (respect@aros.net) http://www.aros.net/~respect/movies.html
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