The Black Dahlia (2006)
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Two LAPD detectives investigate the sensationalized murder of a young actress, leading them into a web of obsession and shocking discoveries.
The story
In 1947, LAPD detectives Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert and Lee Blanchard become partners after a boxing match. The investigation takes a dark turn when the dismembered body of Elizabeth Short, dubbed "The Black Dahlia," is discovered. Bucky begins to delve into Short's life as an aspiring actress, eventually meeting Madeleine Linscott, a woman from a prominent family who was close to the victim. As Lee becomes increasingly erratic and obsessed with the case, Bucky finds himself navigating a complex web of secrets involving the victim's past, local gangsters, and the wealthy social circles of Los Angeles.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1947, LAPD detectives Dwight "Bucky" Bleichert and Lee Blanchard are made partners. Bucky becomes involved with Lee's girlfriend, Kay Lake, but discovers she was branded with the initials "BD" for a gangster. When the dismembered body of Elizabeth Short is found, Bucky investigates her life, meeting Madeleine Linscott, who resembles Short. Lee becomes obsessed and abusive toward Kay. Bucky eventually witnesses Lee being murdered by a mysterious figure. Following Lee's death, Bucky discovers Kay was the girlfriend of the gangster Bobby DeWitt, whom Lee had put away. Bucky realizes Lee was there to kill DeWitt. Bucky eventually discovers that Madeleine's parents, Emmett and Ramona, were involved in Short's death. Ramona reveals she killed Elizabeth because she was disturbed by her friend Georgie Tilden's infatuation with Short. Ramona shoots herself. Bucky later finds Madeleine at a motel, learns she slit Lee's throat, and shoots her dead. Finally, Bucky goes to Kay's house, where she invites him in and closes the door.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 120
- Production countries
- France; Germany; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Brian De Palma
- Writers
- Josh Friedman · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Josh Hartnett · Bucky Bleichert; Scarlett Johansson · Kay Lake; Aaron Eckhart · Lee Blanchard; Hilary Swank · Madeleine Linscott; Mia Kirshner · Elizabeth Short; Rose McGowan · Sheryl Siddon
- Genres
- neo-noir; mystery; crime thriller
- Themes
- obsession; corruption; violence against women
- Tone and mood
- neo-noir; dark; convoluted
- Premise and plot tags
- detective; murder mystery; true crime inspired
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1987 novel by James Ellroy
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received largely negative reviews from critics, with several deeming the plot convoluted. It was also a box office failure, grossing less than its budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 32% · review count: 192; Metacritic · score: 49 · scale: 100 · review count: 35; CinemaScore · score: D+ · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- David Fincher was originally attached to direct the film.; The film was the most expensive film ever shot in Bulgaria at the time.; The film features scenes from the 1928 film The Man Who Laughs.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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