Strange Days
From Metaverse
On the eve of the millennium, ex-cop Lenny Nero is thrown into a technological murder case with corruption and chaos abound. Lenny and Mace must stop a serial killer before he can strike again. Using futuristic virtual reality imaging hardware, Lenny and Mace track down the murderer and uncover a corrupt police force at the same time.
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Characters
Ralph Fiennes .... Lenny Nero is an an ex-cop turned street hustler. He is a self-proclaimed "switchboard to the souls." He is the protagonist and sells illegal personal virtual reality programs.
Angela Bassett .... Lornette 'Mace' Mason - She is an security specialist who becomes Lenny's partner in the murder investigation.
Juliette Lewis .... Faith Justin - Lenny's ex-girlfriend, now a signer.
Tom Sizemore .... Max Peltier - Lenny's friend who is also an ex-cop. He is getting paid to watch over Faith and to keep Lenny away from her. He ends up betraying Lenny in the end.
Michael Wincott .... Philo Gant - Jeriko's record manager and Faith's new boyfriend.
Vincent D'Onofrio .... Burton Steckler - A corrupt cop who kills Jeriko.
Glenn Plummer .... Jeriko One - Pro-black activist rapper who was murdered by police.
Brigitte Bako .... Iris - Faith's old best friend who is now a prostitute. Sent the tape of Jeriko's murder to Lenny.
Richard Edson .... Tick - VR dealer who buys and sells "blackjack" clips.
Josef Sommer .... Palmer Strickland - Steckler's partner who is also corrupt. He assists in killing Jeriko.
Michael Jace .... Wade Beemer - Ex-Rams running back, he is now Philo's bodygaurd.
Themes, Symbols, Motifs
Film Noir - A very dark film overall. All the action seems to take place at night or in dark places. It is even dark during the day. It also fits with film noir due tothe fact this is a classic detective story. Lenny is basically a detective (an ex cop helping solve a corrupt murder)
Metaverse-type virtual reality - These virtual reality clips can be all types of situations. They can be memories of better times or better lives, or can be a total fantasy for the user. These are ovreall very bright and vivid compared to the darkness of the real world. A problem with the technology is that the virtual reality must be taped from real life, thus all the situations in the clips must have happened.
Anarchist state - There is a large police presence, as if martial law had be declared. The world is a major dystopia, full of riots and chaos. The police force is also severly corrupt in some pockets of it. There is also a weak government where there is little regulation or control.
Technology/Playback - The "squid" technology was originally developed for the Federal Government. This playback is almost like a drug, it is very addicting. Philo is getting addicted to it and he often cannot tell the difference between real life and playback.
Main character fatal flaw - Lenny is gettting addicted to playback and is obsessed with his ex-girlfriend Faith.
Discussion Questions
1. What are the similarites and differences between Stange Days and Minority Report?
2. How do the Virtual Reality clips compare to the Metaverse in Second Life?
3. Do you think the VR clips could really be used as actual evidence in a criminal investigation?
4. Discuss racial differences and tensions and how they are portrayed in this movie.
