Highschool Femme Fatale

I have been cajoling people to go and see the film Brick ever since I saw it two weeks ago so much so I’ve taken to sticking Brick postcards up on the office kitchen fridge.  For those who haven’t seen it, it’s Rian Johnson’s debut feature film, a bravely styled murder mystery set in modern high school complete with full on 1940’s American film noir language, Humphrey Bogart style dialogue that somehow still feels right.  It’s not all pizazz and concept as the story is fleshed out enough with actors Joseph Gordon Levitt, Emily de Ravin and Nora Zehetner putting in stellar performances.  Even if the story does fall into that predictable Maltese Falcon outcome, you can’t deny the ambitious style it tries to pull off with.  Beautiful close up shots of the little clues throughout the film and of course the outfits of the femme fatale Laura – played by Nora Zehetner.  I’ve actually been interested to see her filmwork since watching her in Everwood.  Plus, she’s got an endearingly cute face a la Rachel Bilson.   

They’ve really played up the femme fatale look in the film but given it of course a high school edge.  Vintage accessories with t-shirts, lots of berets and scarves.  Added to her sultry language and coquesttish gestures and you have a modern day femme played to perfection.  The dark clouds that loom over London these days and Laura’s mysterious ness have inspired me to don trenchcoats with a jaunty beret but mix it up with graphic t-shirts and modern print neckchiefs, adding a vintage touch with antique hair slides and structured handbags.