The Singing Detective – DVD Review

Film, Reviews



2008 has definitely been Robert Downey Jr.’s year. He started the year with a supporting role in the indie teen film Charlie Bartlett playing a troubled high school principal. Then he exploded this summer in the highly anticipated Iron Man and shattered every fanboy’s expectation of Tony Stark. He finished off the summer playing the unthinkable: an actor who undergoes skin surgery to play a black man in the hilarious Ben Stiller film Tropic Thunder, and then actually made the role WORK. This fall, a repackaging of an overlooked Robert Downey Jr. film arrived on DVD that only further proves his versatility as an actor: the 2003 comedy/drama/noir/musical/character study The Singing Detective.

Robert Downey Jr. stars as Dan Dark, an author of noir novels who is in the hospital battling severe psoriasis and emotional distress. The story is told in three separate sections. Through flashbacks of Dark’s childhood and what caused his aversion to sex, through his hallucinations putting him as the main character in the book he’s written, “The Singing Detective,” and through the current action taking place at the hospital. Dan Dark’s psoriasis is so severe, he has lesions covering his body. His emotional distress is so severe, that he lashes out at the entire hospital staff. He begins seeing psychologist Dr. Gibbon (Mel Gibson) to help him overcome his childhood trauma, and eventually overcome his physical illness as well. Oh, and in between all this? There are random lip-synched musical numbers of songs from the 50’s such as “Mr. Sandman.”

What makes the movie entertaining is the cast. This is a brilliant ensemble. First off, Robert Downey Jr. is amazing as Dan Dark. The movie revolves completely around him and if we didn’t believe him, it wouldn’t work at all. Mel Gibson is a lot of fun to watch as well. He’s nearly unrecognizable, but is clearly really enjoying himself. Katie Holmes plays one of the nurses and is very cute in this. Robin Wright Penn (The Princess Bride, Forrest Gump) plays Dan Dark’s ex-wife and has cameos throughout the various storylines. She’s a mainstay in Dark’s life, so she’s everywhere here. She does a great job, but looks painfully thin. We’ve also got Carla Gugino (Son-In-Law, Sin City) playing Dan Dark’s mother, Adrian Brody (right before winning the Oscar for his role in The Pianist) playing a character in the noir book, and Alfre Woodard (Heart and Souls, Grand Canyon) and Saul Rubinek (Wall Street, True Romance) as doctors at the hospital.

What doesn’t work is that the film is all over the place. There’s so much going on with the three storylines and settings and with all of the genres that are represented, it’s difficult at times to figure out what exactly you’re watching. Obviously the performances are all spectacular, but what are they all doing here? The concept is very creative, based on the BBC miniseries of the same name and written by real-life psoriasis sufferer Dennis Potter, but this film version is just scattered all over the place. Ultimately, the movie is about Dan Dark and his recovery over his physical and emotional demons, but there is so much to pore through before you actually get there. Let me tell you though, the Dan Dark at the end of the movie is refreshing to see after the Dan Dark we’ve been with throughout the film.

Presented in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio.

Commentary by director Keith Gordon, that gives really nice insight to reasons why he did certain things. This actually made me appreciate the film much more.

PreviewsNorthfork, And Now Ladies and Gentlemen, Wuthering Heights (the MTV movie).

Ultimately? This movie is just…weird. I’d love to love it since it has musical aspects and because of the cast, but I can’t say that I’d recommend it. Newcomers to Robert Downey, Jr. because of Iron Man will be disappointed by this film. It’s just not for everyone. But if you’re trying to delve deeper into the filmography of an actor, and if you don’t mind offbeat films, this might just be for you. Still, there is no question, 2008 is still Robert Downey, Jr.’s year.

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Paramount presents The Singing Detective. Directed by Keith Gordon. Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Mel Gibson, Katie Holmes, Alfre Woodard, Robin Wright Penn, Adrian Brody. Written by Dennis Potter. Running time: 108 minutes. Rated R. Released on DVD: September 30, 2008. Available at Amazon.

Jenny is proud to be the First Lady of Inside Pulse Movies. She gives female and mommy perspective, and has two kids who help with rating family movies. (If they don't like 'em, what's the point?) She prefers horror movies to chick flicks, and she can easily hang with the guys as long as there are several frou-frou girlie drinks to be had.