The promotions for The Black Dahlia claim that the sensational and grizzly murder of aspiring 'actress' Elizabeth Short is the biggest unsolved mystery in Los Angeles history. Arguably that's true. But, if you go to see The Black Dahlia expecting to see a movie about the case, the suspects and what could have happened, you'll be dissappointed. I know I was.

The Black Dahlia is really about two of the many detectives assigned to the case, Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett) and Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart), also known as Mr. Fire and Mr. Ice. You see, the two detectives initially meet in the boxing ring. Both men were pretty good fighters in their day and agree to a boxing match to promote a levy that will increase funding for the LAPD. So far, .... nothing about the Dahlia. After the match, the men become partners in the warrants division. Lee introduces Bucky to his girlfriend Kay (Scarlett Johannson). The three become a 'trio' doing everything together. Still ... no Dahlia. Finally, while pursing a warrant, they come across the beginning of the Dahlia investigation and across the very dead and mutilated body of Elizabeth Short. Finally, The Dahlia!!! Lee, Mr. Fire, gets immediately wrapped up in the case. He's all intensity and obsession. Mr. Ice, meanwhile, tries to play it cool while his feeling for Kay continue to grow. So Lee-Kay-Bucky are our first love triangle. Enter Ms. Madeleine Linscott (Hilary Swank) a Dahlia look-alike who may have some information about the murder. So we have our second triangle Madleine-Bucky-Kay.

The Black Dahlia case is merely a backdrop for the story of these detectives and the women that love them. Whatever.

Brian DePalma gets points because the film looks very 40's. But that's about the best thing I can say about The Black Dahlia. Josh Harnett seems like a nice guy but he's only got a couple of expressions and he could have used at least a few more. He does cry well. I'll give him that. Hilary Swank won an Oscar for Boys Don't Cry but she is terrible here. She's completely over the top with the overacting. It was laughable and I mean laughable in a 'laugh at you' and not 'laugh with you' sort of way. Aaron Eckhart goes over the top too. Although in his case, I think that has more to do with the script than it does his performance. His character just starts acting so crazy and when they finally get around to saying why, it doesn't nearly go far enough. Scarlett Johannson comes out of this pretty much unscathed.

I can't help but feel duped. If I had known more about the James Ellroy book this is based on, maybe I would have gone into this with more realistic exprectations because, apparently, the book isn't really about the Dahlia case either. But, I, like most of you, made my assumptions based on the trailer and the marketing which led me to believe that the Black Dahlia case was the central theme of the movie. It isn't. It gets a little more attention than several other crimes that take place during the story.

At the end of the movie, there is a disclaimer that this movie is a fictional account about a real case with made-up characters and the whole nine. Now you tell me!! Even for what it is, a buddy detective movie with several love triangles, it isn't very good. Too many subplots, not enough explanations, bad acting, I could go on.

Want a real investigation into the Black Dahlia murder? You'd be better off catching a special on A&E or Court TV. Don't waste your money on this one.