Movie Review: Brick

Can you mix a 90's high school drug myth with 1930's Raymond Chandler Film Noir? Brick says "why not"?

In typical smalltown America, Emily ("Lost"'s Emilie de Ravin) is found dead and her ex-boyfriend Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) wants to solve the case. He launches an investigation and operates much like an old-time private eye, evading the overseeing eye of his by-the-book chief of detectives.. only in Brick, it's the high school principal (Richard Roundtree). Brendan enlists the aid of a classmate who seems to be info central for everything going on in the school. He discovers a bizarre underworld full of teen druggies and drug lords.

The local drug kingpin is a kid, played by Lucas Haas, who looks like a cross between a vampire and Marilyn Manson. And, there's the typical-to-noir femme fatale (Nora Zehetner), who both helps and dooms young hero Brendan as he infiltrates this teen drug underworld to learn a truth that involves stolen drugs (a "brick"), a suspected overdose and a lot of beatings on the way to the answers.

Brick is a gimmick movie that just can't help but fascinate you. "Hey, why do I relate to these kids but their dialogue seems like it comes out of Humphrey Bogart's mouth as he plays Sam Spade"? There is a high school location and "vibe" without ever seeing a class in session or another student other than the leading actors. You hear cheerleaders doing their thing but never see them. You hear the bells that change classes but don't see them change, etc.

Acting is first rate with Joseph Gordon-Levitt again proving that he has amazing acting chops but most people never see them due to his constant selection of small indie films. Zehetner is great as the young femme fatale as well. Lucas Haas is a trip as the teen drug king who actually runs his operation out of his mom's basement and brings his thugs up to the kitchen for cookies and milk! He has made a ton of films as a young man, but Haas is always remembered for his role as a child in the Harrison Ford film Witness years ago.

The mystery and investigation aren't handled all that well plotwise but it's a kick to watch this weird combo of filmmaking genres.. the teen angst movie and a film noir mystery. Check it out. Unlike almost everything out there right now, it's different.

For good acting and pure bravery in tackling a hybrid genre... 4 out of 5 stars

Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.