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The Singing Detective (2003) 5.5
Ratings:
5.5/10 from 5,784 users
Metascore: 45/100
Reviews: 73 user | 65 critic | 33 from Metacritic.com From his hospital bed, a writer suffering from a skin disease hallucinates musical numbers and paranoid plots. Director:Keith Gordon |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Robert Downey Jr. | ... | ||
| Robin Wright | ... | ||
| Mel Gibson | ... | ||
| Jeremy Northam | ... | ||
| Katie Holmes | ... | ||
| Adrien Brody | ... |
First Hood
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| Jon Polito | ... |
Second Hood
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| Carla Gugino | ... |
Betty Dark /
Hooker
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| Saul Rubinek | ... |
Skin Specialist
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| Alfre Woodard | ... |
Chief of Staff
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| Amy Aquino | ... | ||
| David Dorfman | ... | ||
| Eddie Jones | ... |
Moonglow Bartender
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|
 |
Lily Knight | ... |
Woman Physiotherapist
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| Clyde Kusatsu | ... |
Visiting Japanese Doctor
|
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Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
"While hospitalized with an extreme case of psoriasis, novelist Dan Dark reworks his first book in his head. Feverish, paranoid and prone to musical outbreaks, he confuses himself with his protagonist, a detective investigating the murder of a prostitute in 1950s Los Angeles." Written by Mag-Helder Thélot
Taglines:
When it comes to murder, seduction and betrayal he wrote the book. Now he's living it!Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for strong sexual content, language and some violence | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
14 November 2003 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
El detective cantante See more »Filming Locations:
Los Angeles, California, USABox Office
Budget:
$8,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$28,324 (USA) (24 October 2003)Gross:
$336,456 (USA) (30 January 2004)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Written by Jack Rhodes
Published by Trio Music Company, Inc. (BMI); Fort Knox Music, Inc. (BMI); Beechwood Music Corp. (BMI)
Performed by Gene Vincent
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Keith Gordon and Robert Downey Jr. previously worked together in the 1986 movie Back to School. At the time, Keith Gordon was acting not directing. See more »Goofs
When the First Hood and Second Hood are driving away in their vintage car in the 1940s, you can clearly see the reflection of a lit, modern, Los Angeles skyscraper in the window of the backseat. See more »Crazy Credits
During the end credits we see Robert Downey Jr. perform the song "In My Dreams" See more »Soundtracks
"Woman Love"Written by Jack Rhodes
Published by Trio Music Company, Inc. (BMI); Fort Knox Music, Inc. (BMI); Beechwood Music Corp. (BMI)
Performed by Gene Vincent
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Film & Television Music
See more »
The 1984 'Singing Detective' miniseries had Michael Gambon as a misanthropic novelist confusing himself with his pulp-fiction noir detective. Although no one could approach Gambon's startling portrayal, no actor I see can match Robert Downey Jr.'s ability to bring back this character with his own demons to recreate hallucinations and '50's musicals in dreams lurid, colorful, and downright Freudian.
His debilitating skin and bone infection of extreme psoriasis have landed him in the hospital but provide him with the opportunity to dream about his choleric mother and tramp wife as well as place the hospital staff in cheesy '50's musicals.
In Keith Gordon's 'Singing Detective,' Downey brings his own life of addictions, which have truncated his career and left him dangerous to hire. He seems at home here as Dan Dark, emerging into the light of sanity by exorcizing his demons and dealing with the unreality of seductive nurse Katie Holmes attending to his skin and bone in reality and dream only as a writer could envision.
It's an offbeat film with style, similar to Woody Allen's lyrical 'Everyone Says I Love You' and Bjork's depressed 'Dancer in the Dark.' It's not quite as good as either but a charmer nonetheless.