Who says you need mega-dollar actors, special effects, and elaborate sets to create a compelling story? Writer/Director Rian Johnson managed to complete Brick for under $450,000. The utter brilliance of this film makes it difficult to even write about it, and every time I watch it I'm more intrigued with the characters. Joseph Gordon-Levitt really carries the film with his character Brenden's fearless quick-wit and carefully crafted lines. The whole cast, however, works together so well and the chemistry is as such that the exchange is so quick you really have to pay attention to catch all the wit. Johnson created this tale in the tradition of classic hardboiled detective stories the likes of The Maltese Falcon (even quoting this film), but placing the events in a suburban Southern Californian high school, giving this a unique modern edge. I don't really know if I can write anymore about Brick, you'll just have to discover this gem yourself.