Dark City

Directed by: Alex Proyas
Screenplay by: Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, David S. Goyer
Story by: Alex Proyas
Produced by: Andrew Mason, Alex Proyas
Starring: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O'Brien, Ian Richardson, William Hurt
Music by: Trevor Jones
Production company: Mystery Clock Cinema
Release date: February 27, 1998
Content: Adult

Plot: John Murdoch wakes up in a hotel bathtub, not remembering anything. Dr. Daniel Schreber calls him, telling him to leave the hotel to escape from some men who are looking for him. In the room, Murdoch finds the body of a woman who has been murdered in a ritualistic way, and a bloody knife. He runs away from the scene, just as a group of pale men in trench coats ("the Strangers") show up.

Inspector Frank Bumstead is on the hunt for Murdoch as a suspect in the case of murdered prostitutes, but Murdoch claims he has no memory of committing any crimes. As Murdoch follows leads, he discovers his own identity and realises he has a wife named Emma. When the mysterious Strangers track him down, Murdoch demonstrates his power to manipulate reality, known as "tuning," just like them, and successfully evades capture.

Murdoch strolls through the streets of the peculiar city, where it seems like nobody even realises that it's always night-time. When the clock strikes midnight, he observes as everyone else drifts off to sleep and the Strangers start to manipulate the city's layout, with the help of Schreber, altering the residents' identities and memories. He discovers that he originally hails from a seaside town named Shell Beach, a place that everyone knows of but no one can actually find, despite his unsuccessful attempts to reach it. The Strangers implant a version of Murdoch's memories into one of their own, Mr. Hand, in the hopes that it will assist them in predicting Murdoch's movements and locating him.

End of Spoilers

HOME SCRIPTURE BOOK REVIEWS POETRY RECIPES GARDENS FILM REVIEWS	Dark City Directed by: Alex Proyas Screenplay by: Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, David S. Goyer Story by: Alex Proyas Produced by: Andrew Mason, Alex Proyas Starring: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, Richard O'Brien, Ian Richardson, William Hurt Music by: Trevor Jones Production company: Mystery Clock Cinema Release date: February 27, 1998 Content: Adult Plot: John Murdoch wakes up in a hotel bathtub, not remembering anything. Dr. Daniel Schreber calls him, telling him to leave the hotel to escape from some men who are looking for him. In the room, Murdoch finds the body of a woman who has been murdered in a ritualistic way, and a bloody knife. He runs away from the scene, just as a group of pale men in trench coats ("the Strangers") show up. Inspector Frank Bumstead is on the hunt for Murdoch as a suspect in the case of murdered prostitutes, but Murdoch claims he has no memory of committing any crimes. As Murdoch follows leads, he discovers his own identity and realises he has a wife named Emma. When the mysterious Strangers track him down, Murdoch demonstrates his power to manipulate reality, known as "tuning," just like them, and successfully evades capture. Murdoch strolls through the streets of the peculiar city, where it seems like nobody even realises that it's always night-time. When the clock strikes midnight, he observes as everyone else drifts off to sleep and the Strangers start to manipulate the city's layout, with the help of Schreber, altering the residents' identities and memories. He discovers that he originally hails from a seaside town named Shell Beach, a place that everyone knows of but no one can actually find, despite his unsuccessful attempts to reach it. The Strangers implant a version of Murdoch's memories into one of their own, Mr. Hand, in the hopes that it will assist them in predicting Murdoch's movements and locating him. End of Spoilers Review: This is a dark and emotionally gritty story. The viewer is lulled into a sense of familiarity from the beginning. Only to be slowly shocked awake by incremental revelations of things either on spoken or unseen. Such as the oddity of it always seems to be night time. Or that some people keep showing up doing different jobs or in different situations. Not really suitable for a younger audience. Perhaps better suited for adults who are looking for a little suspense. Popcorn will be a must. MJ Flack