The Black Dahlia Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 21323

Average Rating: 2/4

# of Ratings: 87

Theatrical Release Date: 09/15/2006

Language: English

Genre: Mystery, Crime

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Brian De Palma

Actors: Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Scarlett Johansson, Mia Kirshner, Mike Starr

Plot: Two detectives become obsessed trying to solve the mystery of who killed Elizabeth Short during the 1940's in LA - partially based on actual events.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 10/17/2023

A not all that shocking movie inspired by a shocking real-life murder mystery, "The Black Dahlia" has enough stylish flair but almost none of the nail-biting tension De Palma's best films are known for.

Moviehead - wrote on 03/26/2012

Pretty bad, but not very boring film.

Unknown - wrote on 09/22/2011

It tries to capture the old noir vibe, but only succeeds in being a look alike. It's messy story and lackluster conclusion makes it a frustrating watch.

Indyfreak
Movie God

Solid if slow moving noir homage

Indyfreak - wrote on 05/08/2019

The Black Dahlia is one of those movies with so much plot, it would benefit from a lengthier running time. It's less a mystery movie than a mood piece juggling out a character study. If I may use David Fincher as an example, think more Zodiac than Seven.
Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart play their roles well;Eckhart especially tackles his character's obsessiveness convincingly. Less successful is Scarlett Johansson. Mia Kirschner is very very good as the murder victim Elizabeth Short. In her brief screentime, she displays a coy playfulness that can easily segue into solemnity.
I appreciate De Palma's direction of the setting and letting the mood settle. It's rather misleading though. The title case is more of a set-up for another plot instead of the actual centerpiece of the feature. …

Yojimbo
Movie God

"The Black Dahlia" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 03/25/2012

Based on a real case from 1947, The Black Dahlia refers to the murder of a wannabe starlet investigated by detectives Aaaron Eckhart and Josh Hartnett. Brian De Palma does his very best to ape the classic noirs of the 40s, and visually it's great as it beautifully recreates the glamour and atmosphere of the era. The sound track is also excellent and I must say I had high hopes because it actually starts off pretty well with some nice interplay between the two and some interesting plot developments. Irritations soon started to creep in though, as Brian De Palma's clunky insensitive direction and penchant for pointless gimmicks reared their ugly heads; the scene shot in first person for no discernible reason being probably the worst example. Then as the story gets messier and more …

goodfellamike
Movie God

The Black Dahlia has a black heart

goodfellamike - wrote on 10/29/2008

There are only a handful of characters in The Black Dahlia, a laughable and cardboard creation by former suspense-master Brian DePalma: The up-and-coming police officer and former boxer Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett), his emotionally unstable partner Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart), Blanchard’s current flame, Kay Lake (Scarlett Johansson), femme fatale, Madeleine Linscott (Hilary Swank) and her wealthy parents (Fiona Shaw and John Kavanaugh). Bucky and Lee are investigating the brutal murder of Elizabeth Short, a young starlet whose mutilated body was found completely cut in half at the torso with all her organs removed and her mouth sliced ear to ear.

The film uses the real-life unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short, but it is based on the fictional detective novel by James Ellroy …