Occasionally, it’s immediately clear that a director is going to make an impact, andRian Johnson’sdebut quickly signaled him as a new major voice in the world of cinema. From his work onmodern classics likeKnives Outto directing some ofthe best episodes ofBreaking Bad, Johnson has knocked it out of the park time and again.
Johnson’s careerkick-started with the neo-noir mysteryBrick, a modern take on a hardboiled detective story centered around high school students. As the recipient of the Sundance Special Jury Prize for originality of vision,Johnson’s debut paid tribute to classic Hollywood while forging an original stylethat laid the groundwork for the hallmarks that would define his career.
Brick Was A Brilliant Debut For Rian Johnson
Rian Johnson raised the $450,000 budget forBrickhimself (viaTelegraph) and edited it himself over the course of several months while still working his day job producing promos for the Disney Channel. As a neo-noir that was bursting with style,Bricktold the story of Brendan Frye (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) uncovering an underworld of crime at his high school.
Johnson managed to make the mystery style made famous by writers like Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett engaging to modern viewers.
With sharp dialogue and a slowly unfolding narrative, Johnson managed to make the mystery style made famous by writers like Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett engaging to modern viewers.Brickmanaged to walk the fine line between paying homage to the noirs of the past without ever feeling like a spoof or a parody.
Brickhad all the makings of a cult classicand kickstarted Johnson’s career on a high note. It’s not surprising that this early success opened doors for him in Hollywood and allowed him to forge his path in mainstream cinema. With more opportunities and access to a far larger budget, Johnson thankfully didn’t squander the goodwillBrickafforded him.
The Rest Of Rian Johnson’s Filmography Is Impressive
Johnson Is One Of The Most Exciting Directors Working Today
Brickwas just the beginning for Johnson. The 2008 comedy caperThe Brothers Bloomcontinued to develop his offbeat style, but it wasLooperin 2012 that truly showcased his ability to condense complex ideas into compelling storytelling. With a sharp take on time travel,Looperstands as one of the most original and acclaimed sci-fi films of the 21st century.
While many will point toStar Wars: The Last Jedias an example of Johnson missing the mark, even though that film was panned by fans, it was still an impressive piece of filmmaking packed with outstanding technique and awe-inspiring shots. WhetherThe Last Jedipleased fans or not, it doesn’t take away the fact that Johnson is a master of his craft.
The crown jewel in Johnson’s recent career is, of course,Knives Out, a modern murder mystery that’s shaping up to be one of the most refreshing and intelligent franchises in contemporary cinema. While it all started withBrick20 years ago, over the past two decades,Rian Johnsonhas delivered on that film’s promise and grown into a truly great director.
