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Set seven years in the future in Anaheim, California, A Scanner Darkly tells the story of a nation overrun by drugs—particularly by a highly addictive drug called Substance D. On one hand, the film shows the damage the drug does to those who are addicted—the paranoia, the hallucinations, the terror…and the sheer ridiculousness of it all. On the other hand, it shows how the nation’s serious drug problem—and the government’s reaction to it—actually justifies the paranoia of the addicts. Citizens are recruited to spy on their friends and turn them in to the authorities.
Take Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves), for instance. Bob works undercover for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, where he’s known as Fred. He goes to work anonymously, dresses in a suit that disguises his voice and his appearance, and spends his days investigating Substance D and those involved in its production and distribution. Specifically, he’s trying to figure out who’s supplying his girlfriend/supplier, Donna (Winona Ryder). At the same time, he’s keeping an eye on his housemates, Luckman (Woody Harrelson) and Barris (Robert Downey, Jr.)—who, incidentally, suspects that Bob might be involved in terrorist activity—to make sure they’re not involved in anything dangerous or, perhaps, threatening to national security.
A Scanner Darkly has the same effect on moviegoers that its deadly Substance D has on users. At first, it’s pretty fun. Sure, there’s some dark stuff in the background—and it doesn’t all make sense—but it’s actually entertaining. Barris and Luckman have plenty of random stoner discussions that might even make you laugh out loud. But then, gradually, the random stoner discussions aren’t all that hilarious anymore. And it becomes harder and harder to figure out which ones are the good guys and which ones are the bad guys—who’s really helping and who’s actually hurting the situation. Things get even darker—and begin to feel more hopeless. It’s just not all that fun anymore. Maybe it was just the coffee talking, but I got restless toward the end—and I was ready for it to be over.
To make it even a little more of a trip, the film is done entirely in rotoscoping—the kinda-realistic-but-still-animated animation you’ve seen on Charles Schwab commercials. While I was skeptical at first, I was really impressed with the finished product. It’s somewhat realistic-looking without being creepy, like the animation in The Polar Express.
I was happy to once again see Keanu Reeves in a movie that’s right for him—one in which it’s okay to be a little awkward and robotic (unlike The Lake House). And Robert Downey, Jr. and Woody Harrelson as stoners…well, it didn’t exactly take a stretch of the imagination.
A Scanner Darkly is an intriguing and thought-provoking mind trip of a film that's worth checking out for the animation—and for Downey and Harrelson’s banter. But don’t expect a stoner comedy with a happy ending. Instead, it’s more of a roller coaster ride with a slap-in-the-face ending. If you see it, do so on a sunny afternoon—because you’ll need all the sunshine you can get when it’s all over.
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