Black Dahlia -- Poor

Shortly before I watched the DVD of Hollywoodland, I watched the Black Dahlia with Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johanssen, and Hilary Swank.
.
It, too, was based on a true story back in the old Hollywood days. However, many of the facts. situations, and characters were purely fiction.

It was a subject matter I was interested in and was anxious to see the movie as soon as the DVD came out, because I missed this one, too, on the big screen. I don't think the big screen would have helped at all, and I sure am glad I didn't buy the movie.
.
The scene changes back and forth from the past to the present were done really poorly as were the time switches in The Good Shepherd. It would have been disconcerting in this movie IF the movie weren't so terrible to start with. As it was, it didn't matter.
.
Sorry to those who made a valiant effort to bring us a good-old-time movie, but even tho I love old vintage type detective stories and true events...this one was awful. Dialog was bad, I suspect so was the script. Characters were confusing and underdone--too many of them without one real main character to focus on.
.
What a shame because it has a potentially good subject matter and really talented actors. They just didn't edit and cut it well, write it well, or something. don't know what could have fixed this movie except leaving it in the can and using it as a write off. Luckily, Scarlett and Hilary have enough good movies under their belts to keep this from hurting them.
.
Skip this one unless you are drunk and home alone some Sat. night when it's the only thing on TV. On second thought, if Simpson's reruns are on or anything else like a documentary on bird feathers -- go for that instead.
.
Stinker of a movie. I watched a documentary of the Black Dahlia murder a few days later and it was better presented and the facts way more interesting than his dramatization. All I can say is more research guys. Better writers. Don't try to rely on special effects to carry the movie. (The actual published photos of the victim were not a gross as the FX shots in the movie.) And the resolution/solution was sensationalized and unbelievable.

Better luck next time, Josh. Potentially a good move to go to the big screen in something besides a silly comedy, but not with this movie. Too bad. Try again if they give you the chance.
.
Sandy Schairer, writer & movie critic