
Brick
2005, Drama/Mystery and thriller, 1h 49m
142 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
This entertaining homage to noirs past has been slickly and compellingly updated to a contemporary high school setting. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
Show all servicesBrick Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Brendan Frye
The Pin
Laura Dannon
Tugger
The Brain
Dode
News & Interviews for Brick
Critic Reviews for Brick
All Critics (142) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (113) | Rotten (29)
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Brick is quotable, clever and cryptic...
September 26, 2017 | Full Review… -
Quote not available.
May 13, 2009 | Rating: 5/5 -
The teens in Rian Johnson's striking debut feature Brick express themselves in jargon that sounds as if lifted straight from the pages of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler.
September 28, 2006 | Full Review… -
The self-consciously mannered rat-a-tat-tat dialogue also mines a neat overlap between teen slang and noir patois, both of which can be indecipherable to non-initiates.
June 24, 2006 | Full Review… -
While Brick is chock-full of the characters, language and imagery of classic noir, it is in fact set among contemporary teenagers. It's a gimmick, but it's a damn fine gimmick.
June 24, 2006 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… -
Even with its shortcomings, Brick provides solid thrills for film noir fans.
May 16, 2006 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Brick
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Nov 09, 2015While some may get more out of it than others, "Brick" is the type of film that you either choose to go along with or you don't. As Brendan discovers his ex-girlfriend has been murdered, he begins to uncover the mystery by working with an underground crew of drug dealers. While you may think all of the answers are given by the end of this film, I surely think the opposite. They try very hard to explain everything through the visuals and through excessive amounts of dialogue, and I think that worked about 75% of the time. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is great as the leading man and director Rian Johnson does a great job for his first ever feature film. With incredibly intriguing cinematography, a great (yet complex) script, and energetic editing, "Brick" is a very solid film. It definitely warrants multiple viewings in order to understand the full message being given. I would highly recommend this movie to film junkies. Other than that, I feel this film will leave too much to be desired. Personally, as a whole, I think this is a great film!KJ P Super Reviewer
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Feb 25, 2015Brick falls squarely in to my favourite genre of film, something I like to call: "Fucked Up Coming of Age". There are not many films in this genre.Gimly M Super Reviewer
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Dec 24, 2013If there is something you can argue, is that it comes off as very original. The concept of a high-school noir plagued with characters that have deceiving appearances, young women pulling off femme fatale stunts and a classy language employed throughout like the finest of classic noirs would do, may not seem like an appealing idea to everybody. Yet, <i>Brick</i> is an engaging thriller with smart cinematography and a disturbing nature of its own, smart plot twists and enough calibre to prove that Rian Johnson may still have some smart cards to play under his sleeve. 74/100Edgar C Super Reviewer
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Nov 20, 2013Writer/director Rian Johnson's film debut Brick is a modern neo-noir thriller that has a captivating visual aesthetic. After discovering the body of his ex-girlfriend, Brendan sets out to uncover those responsible for her death by entering the criminal underworld. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emilie de Ravin, and Nora Zehetner, the casting is quite strong, featuring some very good performances; particularly Gordon-Levitt. Johnson's writing is also extraordinarily good, especially the dialog; which uses classic noir language and syntax. Additionally, the film is given an interesting dynamic by placing the story within a high school setting. While at times it's over stylized, Brick is a clever and unique film that's remarkably compelling.Dann M Super Reviewer
Brick Quotes
Brendan Frye: | You okay to op for me again? |
The Brain: | What first, tip the bulls? |
Brendan Frye: | No, bulls would gum it. They'd flash their dusty standards at the wide-eyes and probably find some yegg to pin, probably even the right one. But they'd trample the real tracks and scare the real players back into their holes, and if we're doing this I want the whole story. No cops, not for a bit. |
Brendan Frye: | You okay to op for me again? |
The Brain: | What first, tip the bulls? |
Brendan Frye: | No, bulls would gum it. They'd flash their dusty standards at the wide-eyes and probably find some yegg to pin, probably even the right one. But they'd trample the real tracks and scare the real players back into their holes, and if we're doing this I want the whole story. No cops, not for a bit. |
Brendan Fry: | I can be such a cad sometimes I just hate myself |
Brendan Fry: | I can be such a cad sometimes I just hate myself. |
Brendan Fry: | Okay, you got me. I'm a scout. I've been watching your game for about a month, but that story... you clenched it. You've got spirit, kid. When can you get to Minneapolis? |
Brendan Fry: | Oh yeah? |
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