Based on the novel by Philip K. Dick, A Scanner Darkly is a mind-bending showcase of drug induced psychosis. Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves) is an undercover police officer tracking down the source of a potent and dangerous narcotic, substance D. Unfortunately, Arctor has himself become addicted to D, and must keep the fact hidden from his superiors while reporting on his own actions. The twist comes at the end when you find out why Arctor is really in this position.
Other principle actors include Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Rory Cochrane, and Winona Ryder.
Downey and Harrelson are excellent in their roles, playing over-the-top drug-addled nut bars to a T. Winona Ryder is just there, not outstanding in any way. And Keanu Reeves is, not surprisingly, his usual wooden self. What would it take to wake this guy up? He's well-suited to this role, but it would have been interesting to see him stretch a little and be more animated.
Speaking of animated, this film is animated. Shot in live action, the entire film was then painstakingly rotoscoped, giving it a surreal look that fits the story perfectly. You wonder if perhaps this was the way Philip K. Dick saw reality. The story is based on his true-life drug experiences.
Perhaps the most startling aspect to the film comes after the last fade to black, when we see the dedication Philip K. Dick wrote to his friends, now dead or worse, presumably from drugs.
Random Notions rating: 7 out of 10
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