"Brick" Review

This ain't your momma's Nancy Drew...

In writer/director Rian Johnson's feature film debut Brick, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a teenage loner who investigates an underground drug ring at his high school for clues about the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend (Lost's Emilie de Ravin).
The plot may sound like it's been done before, but you've never seen it presented quite like this.  I loved every minute of this movie thanks to Joseph Gordon-Levitt's brooding performance and Rian Johnson's fascinating ability to create tone with imagery and sound.  For a shoestring budget of $475,000, that's pretty impressive (IMDb).
Brick is a riveting noir that reminded me of a more serious 21 Jump Street.  While 21 Jump Street serves its purpose of being funny and entertaining, I liked seeing the grittiness that Brick brings to the table in terms of atmospherics, plot, and characterization.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a marvel in this film, and after seeing it I have no doubts about his abilities to carry a movie.  He's fascinating to watch here because his character, Brendan, is that high-school-wallflower who comes out of the woodwork to tangle with the popular kids and seems to have no inhibitions about it.  He's driven only by his love for his ex-girlfriend, and he doesn't care what lengths he has to go to along the way to solve her mystery.
The mystery does get a little convoluted at times, especially near the end, but it's entertaining to see Brendan mingle with the host of other characters he meets during his investigation.  Who knew seeing Gordon-Levitt play Nancy Drew would be so much fun?

As for atmospherics and plot, writer/director Rian Johnson (Looper) uses lots of grey and blue color to create a dark, chilly, almost sinister atmosphere.  It looked as if he decided the filming schedule would only shoot on bleak, overcast or rainy days.  Johnson's choice of imagery and location also support the consideration of Brick as a modern noir tale.  His use of sound design makes the images more powerful. Water flowing from a sewer tunnel.  Gunshots that fade into lockers slamming.  The whir of car engines as they speed past.  It all sets up this unique world for the characters to work in.  At times I even worried if our protagonist was going to make it out as clean as he suggests near the film's opening.
And that uncertainty is what makes Brick such a fascinating, unique, entertaining mystery.  In 21 Jump Street, you knew Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum were going to bumble their way to saving the day.  Even Scooby-Doo and The Hardy Boys seem to always come out on top without any doubts.  But Brick is different, and that's why I enjoyed it so much.
I haven't seen Looper yet, but if his first feature is any indication, I think Rian Johnson might just be one of the most exciting new filmmakers to come along since Christopher Nolan.  Look out for this guy in the near future.

4 OF 4 STARS