**** A Scanner Darkly (July 7, 2006)

Warner Independent Pictures

Running Time: 100 minutes

Rated: R

Staring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder and Rory Cochrane

From the novel by Philip K. Dick.

Enter the grim near future world of Phillip K. Dick where all movement is monitored by scanners and privacy is non-existent. The mysterious drug, substance D is prevalent throughout the populace. It’s source is unknown. Our main character are narcs and are themselves addicted to substance D. Throughout the movie one wonders how this could be in the face of the constant monitoring of everyone. All is not as it seems.

The authorities suspect that substance D may have an unbelievable source and construct a means of determining this. How can they find out?

The film is grim and dark and as their secondary title says “Everything is Not going to be OK” The Movie does surprisingly end on what might be thought of as a note of hope. Just perhaps the villains may get their deserts.

The production method of the film is interesting. They use what is called rotoscope, which essentially is painting animation figures over live action footage. The affect is wonderful and in this case disturbing.

The Film actually carries the flavor of Philip K. Dick through to Film. Recommended. – Gary Swaty