Search - Brown's Requiem on DVD

Low Budget, High on Talent

Robert L. Smentek | Land of Milk and Honey, USA | 04/18/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jason Freeland's "Brown's Requiem" is proof that you don't need to spend 100 million dollars to make a great movie. "Requiem" is an adaptation of James Ellroy's first novel, and like the book it is high on suspense and twists. The plot is typical Ellroy: an emotionally battered man atones for past sins by involving himself in a labrythian mystery. Michael Rooker, as Fritz Brown, gives a phenomenal performance filled with subtlty and sly acting. The cast is filled with many great character actors including Selma Blair, Brad Dourif, Valerie Perrine, and the late Brion James. Freeland's script is exceptionally tight and is remarkably faithful to the complex novel. Check this movie out!"

Nice try, but...

C. S. Junker | Burien, WA USA | 11/03/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Uneven attempt to adapt James Ellroy's first novel. Features an excellent cast --- William Sasso's portrayal of Fat Dog Baker is worth the price of admission --- but Michael Rooker in the starring role seems badly miscast for an Ellroy-style "hero." Brown's relationships with Jane Baker and Walter are never developed; these characters appear only briefly so it's difficult to feel much emotional resonance (in the novel these relationships are crucial to Brown's motivations and why he acts as he does). A worthwhile entertainment for hard-core mystery fans, but it does make one yearn for the depth and complexity of the novel. Nothing special about the DVD. The audio is two-channel Dolby and the transfer is letterboxed but not enhanced for 16x9 TVs. Extra features are limited to a trailer and cast and crew bios, although there is an audio commentary by the director."

Flawed but interesting

Ben Armstrong | Fort Smith, AR USA | 06/01/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I didn't like how the story resolved itself in the end, but the cast and production were great. The dialogue was terrific. Amateurish or self-consciously neo noir? Perhaps, but it did a better job as an homage to that genre than "Brick" or "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang." I didn't read the book so I am just judging the film on its own terms. I say it's worth two hours of your time and a few bucks."

An occurrence

Michael A. Lilly | Charlotte Hall, MD (USA) | 06/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A private detective is hired to free a duped young sister by a man that has ties to an illicit activity. The client also has ties to some illicit activity. A very good dramatic mystery. I had to watch it from start to finish."