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A Scanner Darkly (2006) 7.1
Ratings:
7.1/10 from 84,785 users
Metascore: 73/100
Reviews: 292 user | 227 critic | 33 from Metacritic.com An undercover cop in a not-too-distant future becomes involved with a dangerous new drug and begins to lose his own identity as a result. Director:Richard Linklater |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Rory Cochrane | ... | ||
| Robert Downey Jr. | ... | ||
| Mitch Baker | ... |
Brown Bear Lodge Host
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| Keanu Reeves | ... | ||
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Sean Allen | ... |
Additional Fred Scramble Suit Voice
(voice)
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Cliff Haby | ... |
Voice from Headquarters
(voice)
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| Steven Chester Prince | ... | ||
| Winona Ryder | ... | ||
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Natasha Valdez | ... | |
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Mark Turner | ... |
Additional Hank Scramble Suit Voice
(voice)
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| Woody Harrelson | ... | ||
| Chamblee Ferguson | ... |
Medical Deputy #2
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| Angela Rawna | ... |
Medical Deputy #1
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| Eliza Stevens | ... |
Arctor's Daughter #1
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Sarah Menchaca | ... |
Arctor's Daughter #2
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
In a totalitarian society in a near future, the undercover detective Bob Arctor is working with a small time group of drug users trying to reach the big distributors of a brain-damaging drug called Substance D. His assignment is promoted by the recovery center New Path Corporation, and when Bob begins to lose his own identity and have schizophrenic behavior, he is submitted to tests to check his mental conditions. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Taglines:
Everything Is Not Going To Be OK See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for drug and sexual content, language and a brief violent image | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
28 July 2006 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Una mirada a la oscuridad See more »Box Office
Budget:
$8,500,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$391,672 (USA) (7 July 2006)Gross:
$5,480,996 (USA) (6 October 2006)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Freck: [on the phone] I looked them up. They're aphids. They're in my hair, on my skin, in my lungs. And the pain, Barris, it's unreasonable. They're all over the place. Oh, they've completely gotten Millie too.
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(uncredited)
Performed by Graham Reynolds feat. The Golden Arm Trio
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Did You Know?
Trivia
After the movie was shot, it was then edited and picture was locked before it arrived to the animators. Animators were in post-production for roughly a year and a half. See more »Goofs
(at around 10 mins) Arctor's residence, on the computer screen, is shown as Anahiem, California, a misspelling of Anaheim. The associated zip code, 98345 is for Keyport, Washington. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Freck: [on the phone] I looked them up. They're aphids. They're in my hair, on my skin, in my lungs. And the pain, Barris, it's unreasonable. They're all over the place. Oh, they've completely gotten Millie too.
See more »
Crazy Credits
The "Phil" mentioned in the "in memoriam" list as having permanent pancreatic damage is Philip K. Dick himself. See more »Connections
Featured in One Summer in Austin: The Story of Filming 'A Scanner Darkly' (2006) See more »Soundtracks
Swallowed Up in Victory(uncredited)
Performed by Graham Reynolds feat. The Golden Arm Trio
See more »
I am not a huge Linklater fan. His films usually give me a good laugh(Slacker, Dazed and Confused) or they present interesting concepts that will stir up good conversation(Waking Life) or they are for children(School of Rock). I don't consider him a great filmmaker but I would consider him an interesting storyteller and probably a great guy to talk to.
A Scanner Darkly changes everything. Even though Phillip K. Dick wrote it, Richard adapted the screenplay perfectly. I found that the film ran like a combination of Tarantinoesque chronology(Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs) and a Nolanesque confusion(Memento). The rotoscoping animation was used perfectly to highlight the cinematography. I left the theater with a sort of David Lynchish feel(Lost Highway, Mullholland Drive) but the plot lines were actually sewn up more neatly.
Having seen the film only once, in no way am I saying that A Scanner Darkly compares with the films I've mentioned, but with multiple viewings I am guessing that I may rank it somewhere close.
I can certainly see how someone that has never taken any psychedelics or ingested any type of psychotropic substance might feel less enthusiastic about some of the themes but I can't see them denouncing the film for that reason.
If you have ever gone on a "trip" then you will be instantly able to relate to some of the particular scenes.
I thought that everyone acted brilliantly in their particular roles. Keanu's agent should win some sort of award. Mr. Reeves is not in any way a credit to Shakespeare but his agent always seems to find certain roles that suit Keanu's tendencies.
I think it is undoubtable that this film becomes a cult classic. I hope it fares well at the box office because I would like to believe that the world is starting to appreciate good film more than it has of late.
If you enjoy a good "mind-bender" of a film that doesn't stop resonating in your head until days after you have seen it, then A Scanner Darkly is for you. If you go to the theater simply for spoon-fed entertainment, see this film anyway and hopefully you will wake up and have an original thought some time soon.