Jonathan Hughes-A Scanner Darkly

A Scanner Darkly is a film based on a novel by Phillip K. Dick that was written in the 1970's and has been compared to the famed novel 1984. The movie takes place in future Las Angeles, and its focus is on a small group of friends, one of which is an undercover narcotics officer. In this future period, government survalliance is everywhere, all phone lines are tappped, as well as cameras are everywhere at all times. However this group of friends is able to almost continuously be involved in the use and sale of illegal narcotics. This is because the government allows the small fish to get away in order to hook the big ones, one of which is a member of the group, Barris. John Arctor, the undercover agent, has began to use Substance D, in order to fit in with the group, but now great neurological damage has began to occur due to his prolonged use. At the same time due to new technology which prevents the identity of undercover agents from being leaked, Arctor begans to become confused with who he is and why he is doing what he is doing. This all leads to Arctor eventually narcing on himself, and being sent away to a drug rehabilitation center. This movie is interesting because of the way it is filmed. It was filmed with real life actors, and then animated overtop to create a trippy, but gripping effect.