Original Conceit?

The author of this review of Brick, an independent film, says the movie is "built around a genuinely inspired conceit--the notion of setting an old-fashioned noirish detective story in a Southern California high school." Huh? I'm not saying that the auteur of the film and Rob Thomas didn't come up with their ideas independently, but Veronica Mars has been spinning out a brilliant "old-fashioned noirish detective story in a Southern California high school" for two years. I'm SHOCKED that the reviewer didn't acknowledge that. Granted, the film sounds much more stylized and true to the noir spirit than Veronica Mars, but . . . still. Maybe the reviewer is one of those film critics who can't be bothered with the small screen.

ETA: Wilder pointed out that the article's quote actually is "inspired" instead of "original". Either way, I'm still appalled that the reviewer could praise the novelty of the film's conceit without acknowledging VM. I mean, did she learn nothing from Dan Brown?