Dark City (1998)

1998 • 111 minutes

À propos de ce film

Separated from his wife, Emma (Academy Award and Golden Globe-winner Jennifer Connelly -- "A Beautiful Mind," "Requiem for a Dream"), amnesiac John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell -- TV's "The Eleventh Hour," "The Illusionist") awakens alone in a strange hotel to learn he is wanted for a series of brutal murders, but he can't remember if he committed them or not. Indeed, most of his memories have completely vanished, and he becomes the focus of interest for both "mad genius" Dr. Schreber (Emmy Award and Golden Globe-winner Kiefer Sutherland -- TV's "24," "Phone Booth") and sympathetic detective Frank Bumstead (Academy Award-winner William Hurt -- "The Incredible Hulk," "Broadcast News"). Attempting to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity, Murdoch encounters a group of ominous beings known as the "Strangers," shadow-like figures who have collective memory and posses the ability to stop time and alter physical reality through a process called "The Tuning."

Notes et avis

If you enjoy the Gnostic allegories of Philip K Dick, you may enjoy this film noir pastiche in which the hero is pursued for a crime that he may or may not be guilty of by inhuman adversaries. As he seeks sanctuary and love in a city where the sun never shines and people seem strangely altered (and to forget who they once were.) The action is tangential to the intriguing plot, which follows the hero's journey template laid out by Joseph Campbell.

A nearly perfect film. My only criticism is that the opening narration spoils the movie. Mute the first 30 to 50 seconds and comeback to watch it after the credits! Edit: Having watched this version, the beginning narration has been taken out. So, perfect film!

Brilliant science fiction story telling. Intentionally dark and sparse, but rich in character detail and absorbing appropriate special effects. A fantastic music score tops off a complete package.