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A Scanner Darkly [Widescreen]

Actor(s): Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey, Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder, Rory Cochrane
Director(s): Richard Linklater
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Movie Details

MPAA Rating: R
Content Advisory: Violence, Profanity, Sexual Situations, Drug Content
Movie Release: 2006
DVD Release: 12/19/2006
Format: DVD - Color,Soft-Matted WSE for 16x9 TV
Edition: Dual Layered
Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 40 mins
Studio: Warner Home Video
Total Copies: 3
Genres: Science Fiction, Psychological Sci-Fi
See Also: A Scanner Darkly [HD DVD], A Scanner Darkly [Blu-ray]

DVD Synopsis

The war on drugs has been lost, and when a reluctant undercover cop is ordered to spy on those he is closest to, the toll that the mission takes on his sanity is too great to comprehend in director Richard Linklater's rotoscoped take on Philip K. Dick's classic novel. With stratospheric concern over national security prompting paranoid government officials to begin spying on citizens, trust is a luxury and everyone is a suspected criminal until proven otherwise. Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves) is a narcotics officer who is issued an order to spy on his friends and report back to headquarters. In addition to being a cop, though, Arctor is also an addict. His drug of choice is a ubiquitous street drug called Substance D, a drug known well for producing split personalities in its users. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Actors

Keanu Reeves - Bob Arctor
Robert Downey, Jr. - James 'Jim' Barris
Woody Harrelson - Ernie Luckman
Winona Ryder - Donna Hawthorn
Rory Cochrane - Charles Freck

Member Movie Reviews

Sarah F. (keanupattinson) from INDIANAPOLIS, IN wrote on 7/6/2009...

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This was such a strange movie, it took me a few minutes to really get into it but really while I was watching it, I felt like I was watching people abuse drugs and just descend further and further into darkness. Overall I liked it.

Jason C. (JJC) from NEWARK, NJ wrote on 2/1/2008...

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Richard Linklater, director of one of my all-time favorite films "Dazed & Confused," has made a name for himself in the independent film world. A few years ago, he made a film entitled "Waking Life" and social flick in which he shot on film, then used rotoscope animation over what he shot. The effect was quite cool, preserving the actor's features through the animation. "A Scanner Darkly', based on the novel by renowned sci-fi writer, Philip K. Dick, has been adapted by Mr. Linklater in the same vein as "Waking Life."

"A Scanner Darkly" sets itself in the future and surrounds an undercover cop named "Fred" (Keanu Reeves), who is one of many agents hooked on the popular drug Substance D, which causes its users to develop split personalities. Fred, for instance, is also Bob, a notorious drug dealer. Along with his superior officers, Fred sets up an elaborate scheme to catch Bob and tear down his operation. Bob lives with roomates Barris (a terrific Robert Downey, Jr.), a suave yet conving addict who believes he knows everything and also has an agenda of his own, and Ernie (Woody Harrelson) a clueless, careless but paranoid addict. Bob also has a girlfiend Donna (Winona Ryder), who seems to have a huge coke problem. Can Fred shake his habit and turn in his friends and loved ones including himself? Pretty crazy right?!

Yeah, this is a very cool film, hands down. Very well written and directed by Richard Linklater, as well as acted by the entire cast.