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The Black Dahlia
2006 121 min United States of America, France, Germany R 18+
★5.8
Crime, Thriller, Drama
Director: Brian De Palma
📖 Based on the novel
«The Black Dahlia»
byJames Ellroy
Trailers
Description
In 1940s Los Angeles, two former boxers-turned-cops must grapple with corruption, narcissism, stag films and family madness as they pursue the killer of an aspiring young actress.
Budget:
$50M
US Gross:
$22.55M
Worldwide:
$49.33M
Starring
Josh Hartnett
Actor
Aaron Eckhart
Actor
Scarlett Johansson
Actor
Awards
Venice Film Festival 2006
— Golden Lion
Academy Awards 2007
— Best Cinematography
Key opinion
The Black Dahlia is widely praised for its lush 1940s production design, authentic costumes, and evocative cinematography that perfectly capture the noir aesthetic. However, the film is consistently criticized for an incoherent, overly convoluted plot that struggles to adapt the source material effectively, leaving many viewers feeling detached from the characters and the mystery.
| Production | The production design and costumes are masterfully executed, providing a visually authentic and tactile recreation of 1940s Los Angeles. | |
| Acting | Mia Kirshner delivers a standout, memorable performance as the titular Elizabeth Short despite her limited screen time. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is frequently described as messy, incoherent, and overly convoluted, making the central mystery difficult to follow. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the cast are divided; some find the performances charismatic and fitting for the noir genre, while others view them as detached, flat, or miscast. | |
| Emotion | The film's emotional impact is polarizing, with some viewers appreciating the cold, cynical atmosphere, while others find the film boring, unengaging, or impossible to connect with. |