Philip K. Dicks A Scanner Darkly
A Scanner Darkly- The Premise
A Scanner Darkly is about a future where drugs have become king
and even cops are known to take a hit of a mind-altering drug called Substance
D. The result is various cops, including undercover cop Fred [Reeves], developing
split personalities. While Fred works as a cop, his alter-ego [main personality]
works as a man named Bob, a high-level drug dealer and narc. Fred continuously
works, through the watching of surveillance scanners, to find a way to catch
Bob.
Keanu Reeves as Bob Arctor.
As the story continues, we learn more about Substance D and the side effects
the drug plays on brain function. More specifically, the development of
multiple personality as a side effect from drug use. At the beginning of
A Scanner Darkly, Bob Arctor knows he is and his role as a narc
agent. However, as the book progresses, you witness the loss of self for
Arctor, and his increasing inability to realize that he is playing two separate
people.
A Scanner Darkly- The Story
Robert Downey Jr. as a drug addict... ironic.
The latter half of the story picks up pace with its newfound premise and
turns out to be a great, though dark, tale. However, if you are into happy
and conclusive endings, this story may not be for you.
Final Judgment: While this story spent a little too much time on drugs
for my taste, I did appreciate the disturbing look at the side effects
of drug use. If you are from Orange County, including Brea or Anaheim,
you may just get a kick that all the events happen in these two cities.
Score:   
For a movie trailer, movie stills, and synopsis, go to the A
Scanner Darkly Movie Page
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