The cliché is born from continuous repetition of ideas and concepts. The imitation creates cliche and it is therefore often associated with lack of originality and ideas. This is particularly true in the field of art where the original product is even more difficult to obtain. How do you turn such a cliché into something innovative and fresh?
Brick is a movie that proves that there is an answer to the question above. The reinterpretation of ideas too often used and changing the context in which we look at things make Brick a “film noir” as any other. The movie takes all the face of this classic film genre clichés and move them into the world of contemporary American high school. What is surprising though is the style in which it manages to do that. Brick is a movie that treats the story with humor and seriousness in equal measure. It manages to be a clever film that parodies in some scenes but sensitive in others. Intergal mixture still manages to function and create a unique cinematic experiment.
The story follows Brendan, a student who goes in search of her old friend, after receiving a mysterious message on her part. The search is a journey through all sorts of strange characters from the world of high school teenagers, each of these characters by checking a stereotype of film noir. They have their own personalities, built in a funny way and highlighted by clever dialogue.
The acting performances are borderline ridiculous, but it never exceed. The actors do excellent work and take their characters in an area where we amused ourselves about them and attach them at the same time. Brick is an extremely subtle film in essence. Easy atmosphere and story that is running a fast pace does not let you realize how much sensitivity is in the subtext.
The story moves rapidly from one end to another at a pace that you can often forget what the story really wants from you or you can mess characters. In the end it is irrelevant how you got there for the experience goes because you're always focused intellectual and involved. It is a relatively rare feature in a film that at first glance seems like it can not decide whose gender belong.
As I said at the beginning, Brick is hard to compare to anything else. The movie is an experience and that is why we must see it. In equation to exist and excellent performance of the young Joseph Gordon-Levitt, outlining very well typology cynical and alienated detective, encapsulated in a confused and lost teenager. It is exactly the kind of duality that gives charm of this universe.