*Very Minor, Undetailed Plot Spoiler Warning*

Director D.J. Caruso has run into decent fame as of late after directing Eagle Eye, (Which I thought was pretty terrible by the way.),and the very popular Disturbia, (Which is basically a reversion of Hitchcock's classic thriller Rear Window.). However, I believe that he should be most recognized for this little gem of a film from his more distant past, 2002's The Salton Sea.

One of the greatest things about The Salton Sea is that it unravels in very unexpected ways. Wrapping up the viewer in some dark unknown mystery, that piece by piece becomes clearer and clearer as the intriguingly masked plot unfolds into a tale of drugs, dirty law enforcement, love and revenge. From the visuals, to the dialogue, from the acting, to the delivery, The Salton Sea really is a gritty, enjoyable, and somewhat unique piece of work.

Don't even bother with the plot hole scenarios that some people are conjuring up out of the thin air resting between their ears. The truth is that they just didn't pay enough attention to the details while watching this underrated little diamond in the rough. If you like dark, gritty mysteries, take your mind for a dive into The Salton Sea.

7/10

THE SALTON SEA is another drug-fuelled drama that explores the negative and devastating effects that drugs have on users, dealers, and the local community. I'm not really a fun of these types of drug-binge movies a la FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS so I wasn't really expecting much from this movie.

I didn't get it. Unfortunately, THE SALTON SEA is more about drug use than it is about the law enforcement of the situation, even though there are a couple of DEA officers in it. Instead what we get is a permanently-stoned Val Kilmer wandering his way through a world of violence, degradation, and humiliation, interacting with various unpleasant characters.

The characters are the best thing in this production. Vincent D'Onofrio's drug pusher is memorable thanks to his appearance alone. Doug Hutchison (THE GREEN MILE) is ever-creepy in support, even though he's playing one of the 'good' guys. There are cameos for R. Lee Ermey, Meat Loaf, and BD Wong. But the film lacks the right kind of substance, and feels plot less and meandering all the way through. I didn't care for it at all.

The narrator recounts the history of methamphetamine or speed starting with the Japanese and WWII. He's posing as tweaker Danny Parker (Val Kilmer) working with Jimmy the Finn (Peter Sarsgaard) to get high. He's an informant for corrupt cops Gus Morgan (Doug Hutchison) and Al Garcetti (Anthony LaPaglia). He lives in a rundown apartment next to an abused neighbor Colette Vaughn (Deborah Kara Unger) in hiding. In his earlier life, he was trumpet player Tom Van Allen with loving wife Liz (Chandra West). He tries to set up a large buy from drug dealer Pooh Bear (Vincent D'Onofrio) and the cops want in.

Director D. J. Caruso is trying very hard to make a meth movie with style. The wackiness is weirdly interesting. I don't mind it at all but it's a bit too precious with the reveal. It's a lot of crazy characters and it would be helpful to connect better with Val Kilmer. He's obviously hiding something. That keeps a barrier between him and the audience. The disjointed feel of the movie keeps the tension a bit too low.