Dark City (1998)

There has been a long tradition in science-fiction film making of setting films in dark, dystopian futures with more than a hint of film-noir about them. Ideas of identity and what is actually real have often been incorporated into such films, from Metropolis in the early days of cinema through to Blade Runner and movies such as The Matrix and Dark City in the late ‘90s.

In many ways this is a film reminiscent of “The Matrix” (which was released a year later) - the main character is pursued by shadowy figures, has strange powers and must question the nature of reality. Even some of the final scenes in both movies are somewhat similar. Dark City may not have The Matrix’s spectacular action sequences or sense of style but is in some ways perhaps a superior movie.

The film starts with the aftermath of a murder - one the film’s hero (played by Rufus Sewell) doesn’t remember committing, despite all the evidence pointing to him being a serial killer. In fact he can hardly remember anything, beyond a few distant childhood memories. He finds himself pursued by shadowy figures and every so often the world seems to stop - all others become inactive except for him and his pursuers and an enigmatic doctor (played by Kiefer Sutherland).

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As Sewell starts to gain the telepathic powers his pursuers seem to possess he starts to notice more and more wrong with the world and even the policeman assigned to track him down (William Hurt) and the woman who claims to be his wife (Jennifer Connelly) start to notice something wrong.

One of the best things about this movie is the consistently dark and moody atmosphere - often this is overused in films but here there is a genuine reason for it to be like this. Sewell’s pursuers are appropriately sinister and both Sewell and Connelly manage an appropriate air of bewilderment at the strange events surrounding them. Some of the more ambitious sets - such as the giant clock that plays an important role - are impressive and the final confrontation is satisfyingly tense. Although the explanation for what is happening is far-fetched, it is at least consistent and reasonably plausible and doesn’t suffer from the occasional plot holes that other movies such as The Matrix have.

Overall, this is a very good movie, atmospheric and memorable. Definitely recommended.

Rating : 9 / 10

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All content ©2003 William Marnoch.

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