DARK CITY - A Film Keifer Sutherland Once Called "The Highest Form of Filmmaking"
In 1998, director Alex Proyas released a film that kinda blew my mind when I first saw it, a blend of science fiction and film noir, unlike anything I’d seen before. That film was Dark City, a masterpiece that combines stunning visuals, a captivating story, and incredible performances from its cast. It's a film that has been celebrated by critics and audiences alike and is widely considered to be one of the greatest science fiction noir movies of all time.
I recently saw a quote from Keifer Sutherland, who played Dr. Daniel Schreber, and it inspired me to revisit the film. That Quote was: "Dark City will always hold a special place in my heart. I believe that, creatively, it approaches what I consider to be cinema, which is the highest form of filmmaking."
After watching the movie again, I was once again blown away, and Sutherland is 100% right in his comment, and then I found myself writing about it.
Dark City takes place in a mysterious and foreboding metropolis that is shrouded in perpetual darkness. The city is inhabited by a group of strangers who have lost their memories and are being manipulated by a group of mysterious beings known as the Strangers. These Strangers have the ability to control reality and are using their powers to experiment on the city's inhabitants in a desperate attempt to understand what it means to be human in an effort to find some insight that will be able to save their race.
The film's protagonist, John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), is a man who wakes up with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He soon discovers that he is being hunted by both the Strangers and the city's police force, who believe he is a serial killer. With the help of a sympathetic prostitute named Emma (Jennifer Connelly) and a detective named Bumstead (William Hurt), Murdoch begins to uncover the secrets of the city and the true nature of his own identity.
One of the most impressive aspects of Dark City, the thing that initially caught my attention, is its awesome visual style, with its dark and foreboding atmosphere that is both nightmarishly haunting and beautiful. Proyas and his team of artists and designers created an incredible world that is both familiar and alien, with these towering skyscrapers, winding alleys, and dark, mysterious corners that are both unsettling and alluring.
The film's use of color and light is also impressive with Proyas as it creates a sense of unease and uncertainty. The Strangers, who are bald, pale-skinned beings with long black coats, are particularly striking and serve as a powerful visual metaphor for the film's themes of control and manipulation.
However, Dark City is more than just a visual feast, it also tells a rich and complex story that continues to impress with repeated viewings. No matter how many times I’ve seen this movie, I’m completely engulfed in that story and the world that it takes place in. The film's exploration of identity, memory, and the nature of reality is both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging. As Murdoch uncovers the truth about his past and the true nature of the city, the film takes fans on a journey that is thrilling and it makes you think.
The film's performances are also exceptional, with Sewell, Connelly, Sutherland, and Hurt all delivering powerful and complex performances that elevate the material. Sewell, in particular, delivers a great performance as Murdoch, conveying a sense of vulnerability and determination that makes him a compelling protagonist.
In the years since its release, Dark City has become a cult classic that continues to be celebrated by cinephiles. Its influence can be seen in films like The Matrix and Inception, both of which borrowed heavily from its visual style and thematic elements.
Dark City is a true work of art that transcends its sci-fi and film noir genre trappings and speaks to the human condition in a profound and meaningful way. It's a film that rewards careful attention and contemplation.