Visual marvel after visual marvel
The Black Dahlia (2006)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:179
Fresh:61
Rotten:118
Average Rating:4.9/10
Consensus: Though this ambitious noir crime-drama captures the atmosphere of its era, it suffers from subpar performances, a convoluted story, and the inevitable comparisons to other, more successful films of its genre.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and language.
Runtime: 2 hrs 2 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Sep 15, 2006 Wide
Box Office: $22,518,325
Synopsis: Based on the novel by James Ellroy, Brian De Palma's THE BLACK DAHLIA stars Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart as a pair of LAPD detectives assigned to the most notorious murder in Hollywood history.... Based on the novel by James Ellroy, Brian De Palma's THE BLACK DAHLIA stars Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart as a pair of LAPD detectives assigned to the most notorious murder in Hollywood history. De Palma takes things slow, spending a good 20 minutes establishing the relationship between Buddy Bleichert, Lee Blanchard, and their mutual love Kay (Scarlett Johanssen), before introducing the 1947 murder after which the film is named. In the haunting screen-tests left behind after her mysterious death, aspiring actress Elizabeth Short appears to want fame so badly she'll do anything to get it. Her pornographic film appearances, and a rumored affair with narcissist heiress Madeleine Linscott (Hillary Swank), provide just two clues in a sea of confusion. THE BLACK DAHLIA crams every subplot from Ellroy's novel into two hours, but only connects them towards the end of the movie. The screen-tests featuring a sadly desperate Elizabeth Short (Mia Kirshner) are captivatingly filmed in gritty black-and-white. These scenes succeed in showing the industry ugliness most likely behind Elizabeth's death, while the rest of the film self-consciously strives to be noir through elaborate set design, dramatic camera angles, and narration taken straight from the book. If De Palma's goal was to make us examine our own voyeuristic fascination with murder, particularly the gruesome murder of a beautiful young woman, then he succeeds, because throughout a film invested in so many different storylines, Short's remains the most interesting one. [More]
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Aaron Eckhart, Mia Kirshner, Rose McGowan, Fiona Shaw, Jemima Rooper, John Kavenagh, Pepe Serna, Troy Evans, Gregg Henry
Director: Brian De Palma
Director: Brian De Palma
Story: Josh Friedman
Producer: Rudy Cohen, Art Linson, Moshe Diamont
Composer: Mark Isham
Studio: Universal Pictures
Get This Movie
Rent DVD
Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.
Buy DVD
Release:
Jun 21, 2009
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - Spanish
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English, Frencn
- Subtitltes - English (SDH), French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers: Includes PUBLIC ENEMIES Sneak Peek
Featurette:
- 1. REALITY AND FICTION: THE STORY OF THE BLACK DAHLIA
- 2. THE CASE FILE
- 3. THE DE PALMA TOUCH PRESENTED BY VOLKSWAGEN
Reviews for The Black Dahlia
DePalma is like a magician who dazzles us with a trick only to show us, alas, it really was only a trick, and in the meantime he's stolen our watch.
You've barely time to soak up one revelation before another one is dumped on you from a great height.
Won't do much to dissuade the common rap against De Palma as a cold technician who takes projects just for the elaborate set pieces they provide him.
With skeletons flying out of the closet at every turn, this overplotted mess unfolds more like a dumb, daytime soap opera than a well-crafted crime thriller.
You have to wonder just how vibrant the film would have been during the Reagan or Clinton administration, when De Palma was in his prime.
A stellar cast of marquee names, coupled with an all-star crew, can't make this entry work.
... ends up being forgettable enough that someone else in the future may still be able to take another stab at the idea.
Filled with atmosphere and attitude to spare, "The Black Dahlia" is film noir at it's finest.
It meticulously resembles a 60 year-old Hollywood artifact, but with a contemporary cynicism.
The Black Dahlia revels in its stylish noir production, even though it gets lost in the maze of its zigzagging plot lines.
Ghost World: Keith Uhlich on The Black Dahlia for Reverse Shot's Brian de Palma symposium.
The Black Dahlia turns out to be something of questionable structural integrity, pieced together from old movies.
At no time does the film turn into a satisfying mystery where the audience feels compelled to guess along with our racing detectives.
Frustrating but fascinating, with moments that refuse to be shrugged off
De Palma's lamentable decision to reign in his wild directorial flourishes certainly doesn't do the film any favors...
Latest News for The Black Dahlia
October 11, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Wide Open Race For #1 Spot This Weekend
Five new films push their way into nationwide release on Friday hoping to challenge two-time champ The Rock making for what should be a free-for-all at the North American box... More...
September 13, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Jodie's Got A Gun!
Two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster returns to the big screen this weekend in the vigilante thriller The Brave One which has its sights set on an easy top spot debut. The frame's... More...
March 05, 2007:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Audiences Ride with Wild Hogs at #1
Moviegoers rallied behind the star-driven comedy "Wild Hogs," which raced to number one at the North American box office, zooming past all expectations from Disney.... More...
March 01, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: "Wild Hogs" Aims to Run Over "Ghost Rider"
One super hero on a motorcycle looks to get replaced by four middle-aged bikers at the number one spot at the North American box office this weekend. More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| 19% 19% | Transformers: Revenge … |
| 55% 55% | Orphan |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 88% 88% | Ballast |
| 67% 67% | The Merry Gentleman |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Black Dahlia at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Black Dahlia at IGN
- The Black Dahlia at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Moviefone looks back at 7 films that have paved the way for movies like 2012.

BuzzSugar rattles off their 10 favorite current actors with celebrity pedigree.

The AV Club looks back at a dance sequence from the only movie written by... Dr. Seuss?

TIME reminisces on the 10 most iconic moments from the films of Cameron Crowe.






