Long Play Video S01 E94 - #7 Brick
Sep 23, 2025
The discussion dives into Rian Johnson's unique blend of noir and high school drama in Brick. They debate if it truly fits the noir genre and explore its stylized homage to classic films. With humor, they reflect on the film's production challenges and memorable dialogues. The hosts share their conflicting takes on teen protagonists in noir, and reminisce about school lunches through the lens of the film. Finally, they humorously ponder the influence of modern technology on noir plots, highlighting the film's enduring charm amid its divisive reception.
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Noir Tropes Clash With Teenagers
- Kev says noir themes don't always translate to teenage characters because teens lack world-weariness typical of classic detectives.
- He finds the contrast between genre tropes and youthful context jarring rather than convincing.
Scenes That Broke Noir Expectations
- Kev describes specific scenes (breakfast, daytime car park) that subvert noir conventions and undermine authenticity for him.
- He also says Joseph Gordon-Levitt doesn't convince as a hardened noir figure.
Teenage Heartbreak As Noir Fuel
- Andy defends the teenage noir by comparing teen heartbreak to adult trauma as a source of world-weariness.
- He says many moments read as earnest teenage seriousness, which he finds appropriate and appealing.
