The Singing Detective (***)
review by Jon Waterman

Dan Dark writes pulp mystery stories about a man who sings in a club by night and works as a detective by later night. It’s possible that someone wants his story for a feature film. However, Dan must find a way to write again. He suffers from severe psoriasis that has left him hospitalized for months and his hands stuck in a clenched position. Unable to put his thoughts down, Dan begins to hallucinate and mix reality with his ever-evolving novel.

The thing that struck me hardest and wowed me the most about this film was the way it was shot. Director Keith Gordon and cinematographer Tom Richmond combine their talents to work out meaningful stylistic differences between the narratives. For the hospital shots, the whites are overblown and everything is meant to look bright and clean and sterile. While inside the detective story, the frame is a pool of black exposing only the people involved and using stagy, minimal set dressing. When Dan regresses to his past, the film takes on a warmer, more blistery feel. Occasionally the styles combine, letting the conscientious viewer know what they are truly watching.

What would a movie called “The Singing Detective” be without musical numbers? Nothing. So, throughout the film, Robert Downey Jr. (Dark) lip synchs classic songs from the 1950s. The dancing and the choreography were not as memorable as it could have been, but I appreciated the stage look of it all more here than I did in “Chicago.” Maybe that’s because this movie had some non-stage moments as well. The musical numbers are still fun and can even provide a nice little break from what could have become a slightly monotonous back and forth.

The other truly standout aspect of the film was the acting. RD2 had to emote a range of thoughts and feelings without being able to really move his body. From what I remember, he even sparingly moved his eyes unless it seemed appropriate. Obviously a very difficult performance to execute and he does it well. Robin Wright Penn does a fine job as well and I would have loved it if more time was spent with Adrien Brody’s thug character. Mel Gibson (who looks a lot like Robin Williams’ character in “One Hour Photo”) also shines as the more toned down, raspy psychiatrist that provides Dark’s know-it-all personality with new things to think about.

This movie is not for everyone, but if what I’ve described so far sounds even mildly interesting, then go out there and give it a shot. You’ll be treated to great acting and wonderful cinematography, but the storyline leaves a little to be desired. Overall though, it’s a fun movie and not a fluff movie. That alone is a film worth seeing.

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