by Jon Partridge
Adaptations are usually hamstrung from the start. Something is usually lost in translation, comparisons to the original are inevitable; and yet studios and filmmakers persist, intent on bringing a story to a wider audience or putting their own spin on it. The Singing Detective, originally a highly acclaimed (semi-autobiographical) BBC mini-series by Dennis Potter back in 1986, was a triumph — a landmark in television and writing that is revered still to this day. Back in 2003, director Keith Gordon (A Midnight Clear, Mother Night, Waking the Dead) collaborated with Robert Downey, Jr. to bring their own version to the screen, and now thanks to Olive Films you can revisit their interpretation.
Dan Dark (Downey, Jr.) is stuck in a hospital, struck down by an extreme case of psoriatic arthritis. Bed-ridden, he copes with the agonizing pain by conjuring up vivid daydreams, inspired by both his past and a novel he once wrote, the titular “Singing Detective.” Characters in his fevered imagination are manifestations of people from his real life, forcing him to deal with issues from his traumatic past. Psychiatrist Dr. Gibbon (Mel Gibson) seeks to help Dark work through his issues as he also tries to reconcile with his ex-wife (Robin Wright); all the while, his interweaving thoughts affect his behavior and perception of reality.
The Singing Detective comes at you thick and fast, throwing ideas and images at you. A combination of hospital drama, film noir, and musical, the quirkiness and eccentric nature of the piece often draws your attention away from the core of the film, which is that this frenetic barrage of styles and ideas is the result of a fevered man’s pain. Not just physical pain, but psychological. The fevered state of Dan Dark tinges everything with bitterness and paranoia.
While the undertones are dark, the visuals are a mishmash of pastiches. Dark assumes the persona of his own creation, becoming a crooning gumshoe who gets wrapped up investigating a murder. The musical interludes coming at his lowest points are often tunes of the ’40s and ’50s, catchy pop hits that juxtapose against the darker narrative. While the low budget is apparent at times, there is an inventive approach to the direction with distinct visuals and varying styles that reflects the fragmented messiness of the story and of our own minds.
Downey Jr. turns in a great performance. He’s occasionally overly bombastic, but in the quieter moments shows off his talent, crafting a character tainted by bitterness, resentment, and distrust, and warped from the pain he endures. It’s a role that could alienate the viewer due to its unlikeability, but his tortured state does much to elicit empathy. The supporting cast includes Mel Gibson, Robin Wright, Katie Holmes, Carla Gugino, Jon Polito, Adrien Brody, Jeremy Northam, and Alfre Woodard, a pretty stellar lineup who all perform commendably.
This production tackles similar ideas, but as is the case so often with adaptations of British productions, loses some of the grittiness. It was also a more expansive 6 hour mini-series, which offers more time to invest in the pain and guilt of the protagonist; here as a feature it ultimately seems rushed. This and the presence of Michael Gambon in the lead made for something very special. With that in mind, this US version still takes risks and strives to offer something rather unique and bold. If this version resonates with you I urge you to seek out the original for a deeper trip into the mind of Dennis Potter.
THE PACKAGE
The films transfer to Blu-ray is solid. There is a little graininess throughout, but it feels natural rather than a result of any processing. Colors and details are good, overall very enjoyable to watch. Sound quality is superb and greatly appreciated with the “musical” nature of the film.
No extras were included on the disc, which is unfortunate given the personal nature of the project to writer Dennis Potter and the array of talent assembled for this production.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Singing Detective ultimately feels like a mismatch of ideas, but in itself that is a reflection of what the film seeks to chronicle, the broken psyche of a man in pain trying to hold itself together and deal with deep rooted issues. The tale is an inventive one, and while the adaptation pales in comparison to the original, it offers a somewhat more accessible way to appreciate Potter’s genius. With this in mind, its sure to appeal to some more than others, but is never anything less than fascinating viewing.
The Singing Detective is available from Olive Films on August 25th, 2015.