The mean streets don't get any meaner than the San Clemente, Calif., high school parking lots in Brick, said Duane Byrge in The Hollywood Reporter. That's where the Bogart-esque teen loner Brendan searches for the culprit responsible for his ex-girlfriend's death. Eventually, tips lead Brendan to a cape-wearing drug dealer called the Pin. The story's convolutions, in the style of The Maltese Falcon, are hard to follow, said David Denby in The New Yorker. And the characters lounging outside their school speak a 'œcryptic jive patter.' But if you don't get half of their babble, it hardly matters. The chatter may be a joke, yet 'œthe emotions are real—we're in high school, where friendships and loyalty, and who's tough and who's cool, count for everything.' Joseph Gordon-Levitt 'œjust may be the real thing,' said Leah Rozen in People. He's a quirky looking but talented kid star who has grown into a handsome, accomplished adult actor. His Brendan is impressive. But the most remarkable thing about the movie is that it succeeds in creating its own 'œunique, hermetic world.' It's not necessarily a world you'd want to inhabit, but it's 'œan intriguing one to visit.'
Rating: R
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