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I too think that this often-overlooked film is brilliant. I knew going in that I would love the film, I could feel it, but I did not have any idea what I would encounter. It was quite different then I expected, but better.
Even though the film pays homage to all things gothic and noir, it still stands on it's own in a way that doesn't feel copied from somewhere else. Lang's films like Metropolis (the obvious) and M are certainly represented, as is Gilliam and Brazil. Crime noirs of the 40's are also an influence here as well as author Clive Barker. In the hands of a lesser director, this movie could have drowned in it's own gushing adoration of the genres it covers, but instead it shines in it's own corner of science fiction.
The smokey crime noir feel of Bumstead and his accordian, the sexy and sultry nightclub singer, Emma blend seamlessly with the gothic strangers that are searching for what makes us human. The palette of the film is surprisingly detailed considering how muted and dark the film is.
Parallels have been made also with Les Miserables and the life of Jesus Christ. The room where Murdoch wakes up is 614, and John 6:14 speaks of the coming of the savior. Also, a man's sacrifice to free his people ultimately takes him home.
At first I thought I would be distracted by Sutherland's performance, clearly emulating Lorre, but in the end I enjoyed his character very much.
It is interesting that people draw parallels with The Matrix, as I don't see too many similarities other then the obvious. People take any dark sci-fi film and compare to Blade Runner as well (including Matrix). Thematically, they may have strings of similarity, but I think the films stand on their own. Interestingly, some of the rooftops created for Dark City were used in The Matrix.
At any rate, I could talk about this film all night, but I don't want to ramble.
SLEEP NOW...
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