Noir for Now

Rating: 10/10 (28 July 2002)

Perhaps it is because he had the benifit of watching older Noir from the 50's and even more modern marvels such as "Chinatown", but whatever Curtis Hanson drew from, it worked. This film is so intensely gratifying that it is easy to excuse the one mistake I believe it to have: Bud White should be dead. Or, don't show him getting shot 20 times, and then we'll believe that he's okay. Aside from that, the film is shot well, the acting is extraordinary, the dialogue is rich and compelling, and its just really enjoyable. It is a great film is also a great book.