How entertaining? ★★★★☆
Thought provoking? ★★☆☆☆ 6 June 2010
This a movie review of THE KILLER INSIDE ME. |
“I got a foot on both sides of the fence. They were put there early, and they stayed put. I can't move. I can't jump. All I can do is wait until I split, right down the middle,” Lou Ford
Much attention has been focused on two scenes of violence since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival. Rightly so, as violence and its portrayal need to be debated, but do not let that put you off this intelligent film. Based on the novel by Jim Thompson, who also wrote the source for THE GETAWAY and THE GRIFTERS, the three have in common an interest in crime and the flawed people involved. This adaptation is far darker. The motivation of the lead is opaque and open to interpretation, which means no ideology to hang on to rationalise his actions; compare say Matt Damon in THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, or Billy Bob Thornton in THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE. This makes the movie live on after the lights go up.
Much attention has been focused on two scenes of violence since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival. Rightly so, as violence and its portrayal need to be debated, but do not let that put you off this intelligent film. Based on the novel by Jim Thompson, who also wrote the source for THE GETAWAY and THE GRIFTERS, the three have in common an interest in crime and the flawed people involved. This adaptation is far darker. The motivation of the lead is opaque and open to interpretation, which means no ideology to hang on to rationalise his actions; compare say Matt Damon in THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, or Billy Bob Thornton in THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE. This makes the movie live on after the lights go up.
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Casey Affleck (Ben's younger brother) has been pounding away quietly and his CV has started to amass a growing body of quality: THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD FORD, GERRY, and GONE BABY GONE. He is the focus of the film; his character is in every scene. He is Lou Ford, a deputy in a small American 1950s town. He opens the film with an internal monologue about being a gentleman, but seems to completely go against any serious definition of that word. Lou Ford does not appear to have a conscience, which is both extremely disturbing and fascinating. Ford is also dislikeable, so no Hannibal Lector vicarious thrills. He is the killer. There are people trying to catch him (including THE MENTALIST's Simon Baker - good casting), and his liberty is precarious. Two women in his life play a major part - Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson, going against the grain of their roles of prostitute and girl-next-door.
An interesting mix of actors are shepherded by a talented, prolific director, who hasn't put a foot wrong yet - Michael Winterbottom (24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE, THE CLAIM, CODE 46). That is why the violence should be talked about. Winterbottom's films are thoughtful, and not exploitative (though there could be argued that there isn't an equality between female and male nudity). A different director thus might not be able to defend the level of brutality aimed at women in this film. The violence is brief (though still too long), and there are consequences, which most mainstream films fail to address. Aesthetically, Winterbottom’s work lacks a tangible look (he's no Ridley Scott), but here that is a plus as the viciousness is not given style and is more grounded in gruesome, pared down reality.
THE KILLER INSIDE ME is a challenging film about sado-masochism, indifference and corruption. Don't just take my word for it, Stanley Kubrick commented on the novel, "Probably the most chilling and believable first-person story of a criminally warped mind I have ever encountered."