The Black Dahlia - movie reviews and information

'The Black Dahlia': All look and no substance
by Eleanor Ringel Gillespie

Much anticipated on the Internet and among cinéastes of a certain age, "The Black Dahlia," alas, is a big, flashy dud from Brian De Palma, who's become something of an expert in big, flashy duds. Ever since he poured pig's blood on Sissy Spacek in "Carrie," his career has been in decline. Well, there are a few exceptions, including "Blow Out" with John Travolta, and "Casualties of War" with a shattering Sean Penn, one of the most brutally effective films ever made. But that leaves at least another dozen bombs, including "Scarface," which may be a camp classic now, but De Palma was dead serious when he made it. He's dead serious again in "The Black Dahlia." Read the full review

TO SUM UP
The brutal murder of a fledgling Hollywood starlet shocked and fascinated the nation in 1947. Two ex-pugilist cops investigate the homicide, an attack so grisly that images of the killing were kept from the public. One of the finds himself attracted to an enigmatic daughter of one of the city's most prominent families — who just happens to have an unsavory connection to the murder victim.

FILM FACTS ...

Universal Pictures

'The Black Dahlia'

Director: Brian De Palma
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, Mia Kirshner
Run time: 121 minutes
Release date: Sept. 15, 2006
Rating: R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language.
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