Brick 
| Directed by: | Rian Johnson |
|---|---|
| Written by: | Rian Johnson |
| Starring: | Joseph . Gordon-Levitt |
| Country: | U S A |
| Created: | n/a |
| Member: | Matts-movies |
Average rating: 4 by 4 users
Film Description:
Synopsis
Brick, the dynamic debut feature from writer/director Rian Johnson, won the Sundance Film Festival's Special Jury Prize for Originality of Vision. Brick, while taking its cues and its verbal style from the novels of Dashiell Hammett, also honors the rich cinematic tradition of the hard-boiled noir mystery, here wittily and bracingly immersed in fresh territory - a modern-day Southern California neighborhood and high school. There, student Brendan Frye's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) piercing intelligence spares no one. Brendan is not afraid to back up his words with actions, and knows all the angles; yet he prefers to stay an outsider, and does - until the day that his ex-girlfriend, Emily (Emilie de Ravin of Lost), reaches out to him unexpectedly and then vanishes. Brendan's feelings for her still run deep; so much so, that he becomes consumed with finding his troubled inamorata. To find her, Brendan enlists the aid of his only true peer, The Brain (Matt O'Leary), while keeping the assistant vice principal only occasionally informed of what quickly becomes a dangerous investigation. Brendan's single-minded unearthing of students' secrets thrusts him headlong into the colliding social orbits of rich-girl sophisticate Laura, intimidating Tugger, substance-abusing Dode), seductive Kara , jock Brad (Brian White) and - most ominously - non-student The Pin. It is only by gaining acceptance into The Pin's closely guarded inner circle of crime and punishment that Brendan will be able to uncover hard truths about himself, Emily and the suspects that he is getting closer to.
Forms: Feature
Genres: Drama, Film Noir
Cast & Crew
Rian Johnson (Director)
WritingRian Johnson (Writer)
PerformanceJoseph . Gordon-Levitt (Lead Actor)
I'd like to correct my intro to the film, in which I remarked that the protagonists of many of the detective subgenre of noir is "like Ghandi, using non-violence to ultimately get to the truth." While it's true that these hard-boiled good guys do generally get pummeled again and again and again, I forgot that Brendan does a little butt-kicking to get the bad guy's attention at the beginning of the film. I stand corrected.
A few interesting details I learned from writer/director Rian Johnson during a quick chat we had and the Q&A (thanks for being there Rian - you're one to watch!):
* "Of all pulp fiction, it was Dasheill Hammett that informed "Brick" the most.
* The film was filmed at Rian's high school (San Clemente High - go Tritons!) while it was in session. They had no idea what they were in for, but he says they were incredibly cool.
* The gorgeous shot of birds taking off from the football field at the end of the movie was a happy accident. A "B " camera was set up and the operator saw the birds and called Rian on the walkie and asked if he'd like the shot. Rian told him to roll, figuring he'd use it somewhere!
* The film was made entirely with FFF (friends and family funds). It took seven years to get it made. Let's hope we see Rian's next film much sooner!
A little glossary:
Heel - leave, as in "show your heels"
Bull - a cop
Yeg - guy, dude
More at brickmovie.net...
Tell your friends about "Brick" and thanks for coming!
M
6 Comments about Brick
Mar 10, 2006 10:51AM
Wow, we loved this movie. I was amazed by it, a smile on my face throughout the screening. I haven't felt that way since I saw Kung Fu Hustle last year. I guess I'm a sucker for homage films. :) Thanks to Rian for coming out and sharing the film with us. I was particularly interested in his comment about being influenced by Sergio Leone films. I totally caught that in the film, especially the low angle, long depth-of-field shots, reminiscent of the expressionism used in those westerns. In fact, it made me feel that the film was more influenced by the neo-noir films of the 70s, rather than the films of the 50s and 60s. It had a Chinatown feel to it, especially the tape over Brendan's nose throughout the beginning, and the chase scene with the knife-wielding hitman.
I wish I could have asked Rian about the inspiration for the character of Tug. He was incredibly interesting, a bit out of place, and yet so fascinating. I found it interesting that he was the only one with a
Mar 08, 2006 05:41PM
Anyone know where it was shot? I say Pacific Palisades, my friend says Orange County.
DBinLA
Mar 08, 2006 05:32PM
High School Noir!!! What a treat. I loved the concept the settings, the crytic notes. Wow, my high school was nothing like this. Except outsiders, insiders, brains, brawns, talent. I too had a difficult time understanding some of the dialogue. Loved the Pin's Mom. There were some interesting shots, like the first time he met Pin. Tug walked into the hall to the door in the dark and when he came in with the lights on there were guys in the hall that I never imagined to be there.
DB
Mar 08, 2006 04:38PM
I enjoyed the movie quite a bit and liked the fresh mix of Hammett, noir and SoCal. It all worked into a smart quirky story that kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The "big people" story and situations played out by these "kids" was inventive as well. Actually it led to a bit of comic relief that, given the subject matter, was pleasant. I loved the fancy folded note, and the fact the Pin still lived with his mom.
There was a lot of dialogue that I missed and wasn’t sure if it was the final mix of the sound, the speed at which they spoke or the very cool lingo that was used. I am a HS teacher and am pretty up on the current slang. This was not what I am use to dawg. Luckily the script was good enough to explain everything I missed as the movie went on.
I think my favorite part of the movie was the way it was filmed. I am no cinematographer but the overly gentrified Orange County suburb stripped away a layer of believability that would
Mar 08, 2006 04:38PM
I enjoyed the movie quite a bit and liked the fresh mix of Hammett, noir and SoCal. It all worked into a smart quirky story that kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The
Mar 08, 2006 01:36AM
While I did like the story, the way it was put together, and the casting, I did find that it could have used subtitles through much of the film. I found it very difficult to understand, and what I could understand did not seem to be true to the characters. What should have been easy to understand seemed to be mixed in with lingo from a Hammett book with code words of that particular school, and then mumbled. They seemed to speak more clearly and in a contemporary language in the last third of the film. Also, I thought that several of the characters seemed to step out of a comic book, especially the Pin, Tug, Dode and the Brain. Was that intentional? Tonight the filmmaker said he wanted the film to be serious but the comic characters made it difficult to take seriously. Only Brendan and Emily seemed to be real people. One scene that I did find very inventive was the scene where Brendan enters that storage room and uses the mirror reflecting light to see inside the dark room. I
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