Brick

Focus Features | Release Date: March 31, 2006

7.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 222 Ratings

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AndyM.Jun 9, 2008

This movie is best described as a bunch of 25 year-olds, acting like 17 year-olds, acting like 35 year-olds. It's ridiculous. This isn't high school, and it never will be. It tries to be original by placing a 50-years-late, This movie is best described as a bunch of 25 year-olds, acting like 17 year-olds, acting like 35 year-olds. It's ridiculous. This isn't high school, and it never will be. It tries to be original by placing a 50-years-late, washed-up detective genre into a high school setting, and it comes off as plain absurd. As the Wall Street Journal puts it, "It's original, yet it's not". No high school is filled with smooth talking, drug-running teenagers, who spit 1940's lingo like it's the normal thing to do. If you like detective stories and you just HAVE to have a new angle, despite the complete lack of believability, then this is for you. The movie isn't a bad one, don't get me wrong. The writing and the confined presentation just prevents it from being the amazing movie it desperately wants to be. And I mean desperately.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

N.LeeAug 14, 2006

Visually, it was fun. I also appreciate the attempt to create a new type of neo-noir. But it dragged in places and I had a hard time feeling much sympathy for the characters. There was also a "surprise" regarding Emily, the murder victim, Visually, it was fun. I also appreciate the attempt to create a new type of neo-noir. But it dragged in places and I had a hard time feeling much sympathy for the characters. There was also a "surprise" regarding Emily, the murder victim, which I predicted and was disappointed in when it was revealed.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

TomJ.Aug 9, 2006

Felt like it was filmed by a bunch of high schoolers w/ a cam corder. Just couldn't buy into the whole ridiculous plot or the brooding teen angst.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JarodC.Jun 14, 2006

Enjoyable...however, dialogue tended to be extremely annoying in parts, not because of the slang etc. but because it just dripped with effort. It seemed like this guy wanted to make his characters sound quirky for the sake of it. Some of it Enjoyable...however, dialogue tended to be extremely annoying in parts, not because of the slang etc. but because it just dripped with effort. It seemed like this guy wanted to make his characters sound quirky for the sake of it. Some of it was just laugh-out-loud awful. Other than that, the story seemed to flow well after slowish start.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

seancriswellNov 16, 2012

High school kids masquerading as characters from an old school hard boiled detective movie. This is an interesting premise, and one that you can tell Johnson probably wanted to make from the moment he decided he wanted to make movies.High school kids masquerading as characters from an old school hard boiled detective movie. This is an interesting premise, and one that you can tell Johnson probably wanted to make from the moment he decided he wanted to make movies. Unfortunately there is little going on of interest past the niche premise. Some of the acting and writing is pretty decent here, so you will not be bored. However there is nothing in the story or characters that makes you care what happens to them, which gives you no emotional tie to anything that ultimately happens. Overall a disappointing film.… Expand

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RalfbergsFeb 27, 2021

For me it was okay. I don't see it being this unbelievable movie or crazy good, but I do get why it's cult classic I guess. For me it lacked something and felt more like student project but maybe that's the reason why I didn't feel it likeFor me it was okay. I don't see it being this unbelievable movie or crazy good, but I do get why it's cult classic I guess. For me it lacked something and felt more like student project but maybe that's the reason why I didn't feel it like some awesome movie as acting also at times seemed weird (besides Joseph's performance). I did like soundtrack though. Dunno, maybe with another watch I would see more as towards end part it got more interesting but first part for me felt a bit boring at times.… Expand

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DawdlingPoetNov 24, 2021

This film is reminiscent of a black and white detective film, so as such it is relatively 'film noir'-ish I'd say. I say that due to the sort of traditional dialogue used and the tone of the film which is set by quite old fashioned PI typeThis film is reminiscent of a black and white detective film, so as such it is relatively 'film noir'-ish I'd say. I say that due to the sort of traditional dialogue used and the tone of the film which is set by quite old fashioned PI type music (almost sleazy jazz style music in parts, while in others there's an almost ethereal piece played which sounds a little like wind chimes blowing in the breeze). The main character is a bit of a loner, which also makes me think back to traditional detective films. It is quite gritty and urban, I think its fair to say. I suppose you could call it a mystery drama - I wouldn't categorise it as a thriller as such, although often these days mystery films are also thrillers but this particular film isn't particularly fast paced and it doesn't feature big visual effects or the like, so I wouldn't say it applies in this instance. I felt it was quite an atmospheric film - there's a fairly strong sense of tension throughout, as we wonder why things are the way they are. I found myself wanting to get the answers the main character, Brendan, seeks. It does well at keeping things quite mysterious. I noticed that there were many quite short scenes and often these would fade out to black before (obviously) the next one appeared, which adds to the feeling of being only able to part see the story, the sense of being kept in the dark somehow. As well as the music being almost ethereal or ghost like, there are also scenes in which you can hear what sounds like whooshing noises and peoples voices sound to be echoing - considering this is in the open, nowhere where there'd obviously be an echo, so its done for atmospheric effect.

The plot is relatively slow but I didn't feel it became especially bland or boring, so it kept my interest throughout. I quite liked that Brendan seemed one of the less popular, more bland high school guys - being a bit of an underdog, I felt I was on his side.

I liked some of the camera angles used during key scenes, which made it harder to see precisely what happened and made me jump slightly at times. I thought it added to the impact of the scene and also to the overall mysterious tone.

Cast wise, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Brendan. I thought he was well cast, seeming quite believable as the loner and down-and-out type. He comes across as quite determined and anxious at different times but not unafraid to attempt a bargain. Other cast members include Noah Fleiss as Tugger, Noah Segan as Dode, Lukas Haas as The Pin and Nora Zehetner as Laura.

This film was clearly not made with a big budget but I think its done well regardless, as there isn't always a need for masses of effects and I felt it was quite gripping, if but a bit disorientating, due to the camera angles used and the creepy musical score at times. If you happen to suffer from motion sickness then this film may not be ideal as there are times when the camera suddenly turns down quickly, which may take the viewer by surprise.

Content wise, this film features some strong language and moderate violence, including gunfire and some blood is shown. There are also drug references but nothing else particularly graphic. This film carries a 15 rating to reflect this.

Overall I feel this was a good film - I liked the tone of it and the main character but I did find the plot somewhat confusing and it is quite slow, which won't suit all, hence I'm opting for the 4 star rating overall.

Yes I'd recommend this film, as I felt it was quite gritty and atmospheric, featuring a good performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and good use of music, despite the plot being a bit slow. Its worth a watch.… Expand

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