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Back in 1994 Alex Proyas directed a movie that received an unbelievable amount of hype, largely based on the fact that the actor who died during the filming was the son of one of the world's best entertainment martial artists. I of course, went to see the film for a different actor entirely. I wanted to see Michael Wincott rather then Brandon Lee, but that's just the kind of freak I am. The movie back in 1994? The Crow.
Nothing was seen from Proyas for four years. In 1998, he returned to grace the screen with Dark City, a film he both wrote and directed. It received very mixed reviews from critics and viewers alike. In fact, upon first viewing it I had mixed opinions.
Dark City isn't on my Top Ten movies list (which changes about twice a year), but it is one of the movies I own, and I only purchase or ask for movies that I've watched more than five times. This Christmas both the movie and the soundtrack were high on my wish list. And how happy I was when I received them. Now that I own the movie and have been able to go through it scene by scene and deconstruct it, I feel it appropriate to share my insight. Hence, the review on a movie that is two years old.
The film, which was originally released in England, was slightly edited when it hit American shores. If you haven't seen it yet, skip the opening monologue by Keifer Sutherland's character, it steals some of the mystery away from the movie. In fact, I think that's why the movie did receive so many mixed reviews - because some of the twists were given away at the beginning. I'll do my best here to present an accurate review while still leaving you yearning to see the movie. You are yearning to see the movie, aren't you?
The film stars Rufus Sewell as John Murdoch, a character who has woke with amnesia and with all evidence pointing to him as a murderer. As he leaves his hotel he meets the mysterious Dr. Daniel Paul Schreber (played by Keifer Sutherland), who claims, in an annoyingly halting voice, to be Murdoch's psychiatrist. Shreber warns Murdoch that he is in danger. And indeed he is.
Sound's like about 100 other movies out there so far, right? Well, at the stroke of 12:00 the city falls silent, with seemingly everyone asleep - except for Murdoch. Cars stop, trains cease. Nothing moves. How's that for crumpling your illusions of this being an ordinary movie? Murdoch is not only being chased by the police, led by the meticulous Inspector Frank Bumstead (William Hurt), he is also being chased by mysterious men who have pale skin, wear dark clothing, and have odd names like Mr. Hand (Richard O'Brien I - who will be playing Nilus in the 2000 release of Dungeons & Dragons).
Also included in the talented cast is Jennifer Connelly who plays Emma Murdoch, John's wife, and Ian Richardson who plays Mr. Book. For those who recognize the name, but not the face, Richardson was Polonius in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
Murdoch watches as the city and it's inhabitants change almost nightly. A hotel manager one night is a newspaper salesman the next, with no recollection of his former job. Buildings grow and get moved around as the city sleeps through it.
Eventually Murdoch and Bumstead, with assistance from the uncooperative Shreber, discover the truth behind the strange men, learn why there seems to be no day, and discover the way to Shell Beach.
Dark City is a film noir/sci-fi, and one of the best in that mixed genre since the 1982 release of Blade Runner. And the soundtrack certainly deserves praise on it's own.
The soundtrack CD is split into two parts, the first including the slow, jazzy, samba-like tunes of Anita Kelsey as well as music inspired by the movie from artists like Course of Empire, Gary Numan, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Normally that enough would get me to purchase the CD. However, it also contains all the original music from the movie itself, composed by Trevor Jones. Jones is the man responsible for the great soundtracks of Labyrinth (a movie which also starred Jennifer Connelly), The Dark Crystal, and - when they weren't stealing tunes from Carmina Burana - the 1981 release of Excalibur. Like the previously mentioned movies the soundtrack fits the movement and the action, and unlike a good portion of Danny Elfman's (who seems to be Hollywood's main music man these days) music, has a sound unlike his previous works.
Both the movie and the soundtrack of Dark City get an enthusiastic 'thumbs up' from me. If you haven't seen it, go do so. Now. If you have, go see it again. Now.
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