The film is an obnoxious cartoon version of Hollywood noir, but Carnahan has the chops to keep it moving quickly.

While the movie does eventually ramp up to a terrific purr, it hits plenty of speed bumps in its opening.

One can't help but read the film-which was dropped by its studio, and is now available digitally-as an expression of everything Carnahan hates about the movie business.

...briskly-paced and entirely ingratiating...