The Black Dahlia Reviews
Matt's Movie Reviews
An over indulgent and often confusing stab at film noir, The Black Dahlia leaves little to be desired as director Brian De Palma continues to prove that his best days are behind him.
Full Review
| Original Score: 1.5/5
Beyond Hollywood
DePalma is like a magician who dazzles us with a trick only to show us, alas, it really was only a trick, and in the meantime he's stolen our watch.
Eye for Film
You've barely time to soak up one revelation before another one is dumped on you from a great height.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2.5/5
eFilmCritic.com
Won't do much to dissuade the common rap against De Palma as a cold technician who takes projects just for the elaborate set pieces they provide him.
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/5
EURWeb
With skeletons flying out of the closet at every turn, this overplotted mess unfolds more like a dumb, daytime soap opera than a well-crafted crime thriller.
Full Review
| Original Score: 1/4
UGO
You have to wonder just how vibrant the film would have been during the Reagan or Clinton administration, when De Palma was in his prime.
Film Journal International
A stellar cast of marquee names, coupled with an all-star crew, can't make this entry work.
MovieCrypt.com
... ends up being forgettable enough that someone else in the future may still be able to take another stab at the idea.
Full Review
| Original Score: 1.0/4.0
3BlackChicks Review
I can't say anything really stood out in a positive way.
Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Filled with atmosphere and attitude to spare, "The Black Dahlia" is film noir at it's finest.
Full Review
| Original Score: 4/4
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
It meticulously resembles a 60 year-old Hollywood artifact, but with a contemporary cynicism.
Urban Cinefile
The Black Dahlia revels in its stylish noir production, even though it gets lost in the maze of its zigzagging plot lines.
Reverse Shot
Ghost World: Keith Uhlich on The Black Dahlia for Reverse Shot's Brian de Palma symposium.
The Nation
The Black Dahlia turns out to be something of questionable structural integrity, pieced together from old movies.
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)
De Palma ... does little more than retrace his steps ...
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/4
CBC.ca Arts
At no time does the film turn into a satisfying mystery where the audience feels compelled to guess along with our racing detectives.
Film Experience
Frustrating but fascinating, with moments that refuse to be shrugged off
Reel Film Reviews
De Palma's lamentable decision to reign in his wild directorial flourishes certainly doesn't do the film any favors...
Full Review
| Original Score: 2/4
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)
After two hours of meandering, convoluted indulgences and loose ends, 'The Black Dahlia' reveals a kinder, gentler Brian De Palma. He should be a good guy to have around.
Full Review
| Original Score: 3/4
