The Black Dahlia
Director: Brian De Palma
Actors: Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Scarlett Johansson
PlotIn post-war Los Angeles, two LAPD detectives, Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard, find their lives and careers intertwined with the notorious and gruesome murder of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short, also known as the "Black Dahlia." The case quickly becomes sensationalized by the media, adding pressure to the investigation. Bucky and Lee dig deeper into Elizabeth's past, uncovering a tangled web of corruption, deceit, and disturbed individuals connected to Hollywood's dark underbelly. While Lee becomes increasingly obsessed with solving the case, flashbacks reveal a juxtaposition of their previous pursuit of justice with the moral ambiguities they now face.
As they investigate, Bucky also grapples with his complicated feelings for Lee's girlfriend, Kay Lake. Bucky's discoveries lead him to question not only the motives behind the murder but also the hidden desires and secrets of those around him. The case forces him to confront his own moral compass, illuminating the brutal realities of crime and corruption overshadowing the glamorous surface of 1940s Los Angeles. The further Bucky delves into the treacherous investigation, the more the boundaries between good and evil blur, unraveling the lives of everyone involved.
Writers: Josh Friedman, James Ellroy
Release Date: 15 Sep 2006
Runtime: 121 min
Rating: R
Country: United States, Germany, France
Language: English, German
Home Video Reviews
The Black Dahlia veers excessively from its source material, turning an enduring mystery into an odd, and at times, bizarre spectacle.
Read our review of The Black Dahlia Blu-ray to find out more