A Scanner Darkly

While the rotoscoped animation in Linklater's Waking Life was for the most part a gimmick and distracted from the somewhat weak script, here it was used to masterful effect to enhance the paranoia inherent in Philip K. Dick's short story. The animation is far more restrained here and the style in which the entire world throbs and faces seem to melt is a much better approximation of being on drugs than of dreaming. The claustrophobic, paranoid feeling is enhanced by Downey Jr.'s show stealing role. He is like that druggy friend who gets so paranoid he makes you paranoid through osmosis.