Brick
d. Rian Johnson, 2005
Rian Johnson's successful stab at neo-noir Brick follows an anti-social teenager (wonderfully acted by Joseph-Gordon Lewitt) as he tries to uncover the mystery surrounding his ex-girlfriend's whereabouts. Johnson recreates the gritty world of noir through his distant mise en scene and his intricate screenplay (complete with nicknames like "The Pin"). On a first viewing I mostly responded to the film as a formalist exercise made by someone who obviously respects and cherishes the tradition of film noirs; but there are moments of sincere raw emotion that lead me to believe subsequent viewings will reveal a more poignant statement. As it stands, Brick is a visually stunning study of high school ennui inside of a noir world; that alonge may make it the American film of the year.
