Film review: “The Singing Detective, Dennis Potter’s 1986 mini-series, is the kind of television production that justifies the existence of the medium — a gloomy, episodic swirl of old pop music, film noir and psychological subtext that rewards repeated viewing. In the mind of its creator, it also deserved to be made again, as a feature film.

Potter, who died in 1994, wrote a screenplay that, in addition to abridging the original story, moved its action, and its cultural frame of reference, from England to Los Angeles, and from the 1940’s to the 50’s. That “Singing Detective,” directed by Keith Gordon and starring Robert Downey Jr., opens today in New York.

A lot has been lost in translation. On its way to the big screen, Potter’s intricate, fascinating story has shrunk. The ideas that lurked in the mini-series’ shadows and alleyways are now placed squarely in the spotlight, where they look obvious and thin.” —New York Times