Scanner Darkly, A MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder, Rory Cochrane. Dark comedy/drama/sci-fi./action-adventure. Written & directed by Richard Linklater, taken from Philip K. Dicks graphic novel.

Set in the future, the story concerns an undercover cop who suffers from the effects of an in-demand drug known as Substance D. Little does he know that while he has hatched an elaborate plan to catch a notorious drug dealer, the split personality effect of the drug has made him the very outlaw hes trying to capture.

With an absorbing panel-by-panel pace, caustic, dark humor, and the use of live-action photography overlaid with an animation process a method known as interpolated rotoscoping the graphic novel turned poignant actioneer creates a frightening picture of Americas future, one devastated by narcotics.

Im not sure to whom the film is geared. It seems to be an anti-drug warning, its characters peopled by a cast who know first hand the destructiveness of drug use, yet its bizarre look and schizophrenic attitude seem more suitable to an ambivalent audience of stoned stoners. That said, I found it fascinating, hypnotic and ultimately anti-drug. It is depressing, however, as we see a paranoid lead character, really an antihero, progressively lose touch with reality. Also, beware the content as it is excessive.

Thus sayeth the Reviewer: I once heard that upon taking a certain drug, the user experiences a high unlike any other. From then on, the user searches vainly for that same euphoria. A person can get lost by taking such a journey even once. Whenever I speak to groups of teens, I point out that God will forgive you when you make a mistake. So, hopefully, will your loved ones. But life never forgives. You will pay for your miscalculations. Its impossible to avoid all faulty judgments, but you can step around those caused by drug use. Though it has become somewhat anemic, the old phrase Just say no still carries a passionate truth.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Warner Independent Pictures