David O'ConnellThe Killer Inside Me
August 27th 2010 04:44
British director Michael Winterbottom continues to impress with the diversity of his prolific output. On the heels of his exotic and ghostly family dissolution drama Genova (2009) comes a first foray into America via the seedy pulp fiction of outlaw crime writer Jim Thompson and his notorious 1952 novel The Killer Inside Me.
We’re in Central City, West Texas, a snapshot of small town America where the ruling officer is seemingly benign Deputy Sheriff Lou Ford (Casey Affleck). Ford may appear like a respectful and conscientious law-abiding cop but something insidious is being held in check within. Trouble is set in motion when he's asked by the town’s influential business baron, Chester Conway (Ned Beatty), to move on troublesome prostitute Joyce Lakeland (Jessica Alba) who’s become a distraction to Chester's dim-witted son. Hoping to settle scores both old and new in one swift maneuver, Ford sets his vengeful plan in motion, using Joyce as a punching bag to set the scene for a stage that will evoke true evil's often banal nature.
Winterbottom’s calibration of all the elements is just about spot on. The tone remains true to Thompson’s worldview with starkly contrasting bursts of violence and smoldering sex scenes. His cast, which also includes Elias Koteas as a coy union chief doling out ominous hints, Simon Baker as a relentless investigator who continues to hound Ford and Bill Pullman in a showy cameo, has been assembled with precision. Alba earns stripes for her lack of inhibition but the real surprise packet is Kate Hudson as Ford’s whiny, feisty but clueless longtime flame who is constantly irked by her man’s indecisiveness but perceives no deeper darkness.
Hudson, Affleck and Alba
The film’s violence is a discordant, unedifying but necessary means of conveying the damaged condition of Ford’s psychology, as repellent as its implications are. Affleck glides through the role with a chilly conviction, a veil of coolness disguising aberrant traits that manifest themselves most maliciously when survival is at stake.
Ford’s unerring faith in his ability to rebuff every contingency may be the height of arrogance and superiority, but it’s fascinating to watch him angle his way out from under suspicion as it seeps into his life from every direction. Certainly you could construct a case for the character’s lack of depth. Are there deeper dimensions to Ford's characterisation, or is he an unwavering, single impression of evil without interesting shadings?
The Killer Inside Me may be a tough pill to swallow, the kind of experience you admire without joy. It’s compelling cinema regardless, drawing upon rich inferences to extend the exploration and definition of modern noir. The payoff too is a satisfying one for those opposed to loose ends left hanging. All parties converge on Ford for what is a spectacular all-or-nothing showdown and nihilistic negation of almost everything that has preceded it.
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Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I was very underwhelmed by this when I saw it at the SFF.
Despite strong performances, I was bored through much of it, the visual style and overall narrative feeling much like a TV movie with added brutal violence and souped up sex appeal.
I love film noir, but this left me pretty cold.
I also like Michael Winterbottom, but, much like Alan Parker (who I find similar in his approach to tackling each movie in as different a style as possible), with every movie I like of theirs, there's one that doesn't appeal or work for me.
I was hoping Jessica might reveal those babies as well ... Oh well, her no graphic nudity clause seems to be holding fast.)
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I really would like to see this one, even though Kate Hudson is kryptonite for me. Glad she and Albe have the potential to deliver though.
Cheers,
Deni
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
The ending is a bit silly, true, but better to go out with a bang rather than a whimper!
Couldn't have been more surprised at their performances Deni because I generally avoid them like the plague. But would love to hear what you think as well. There's certainly been a wild array of responses to this film from critics.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
Great review Dave,
and I think your (aforementioned) encapsulation is at the heart of what the director was aiming at, that not all psychos are like Hannibal, probably most are seemingly benign characters...till you get too near the rose bushes...
I do want to see this pic, as I like understated characters; it adds naturalism to the experience, such performances give more room for contemplation, than the overt over the top fare we are served up mostly.
But, I admit I have serious trepidations about seeing this film, after watching David Stratton's take on the extreme nature of the violence, but as you portray it, this aspect is not gratuitous, but the revelation of the violent storm of evil beneath his skin.
It should be an interesting experience at the very least!
cheers
fog
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Thanks fog, and yes, like Bryn said the two violent scenes are certainly more brutal and shocking rather than graphic - well, compared to Piranha say!
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Was meant to watch this one last night but watched Boy instead.
I love Affleck and was surprised a lot of people do not like this film.
For SMH to give it 2.5 stars and Vampires Suck 3.5 stars altered my reality.
How anyone can prefer one of those stupid parody films is beyond me.
Will try and watch this one next week sometime now.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
I must admit I too am a sucker for a film with good performances and if the acting and characters intrigue me enough I wont notice any of the film's faults.
Where did you see this is, is it playing at cinemas yet?
Great review as always.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
This is actually one of my most anticipated films of 2010. The book is astonishing for its time and all of Thompson's work that has been adapted for the big screen reward in some way.
I missed it in cinemas here but plan on getting it the day it comes out on DVD.
Have you seen the original Stacey Keach version from the 70's?
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
It's definitely out in cinemas now Shaun, though possibly not in the multiplexes. I think I'm guilty of overlooking some of its flaws for the very reasons you describe. Thanks for reading mate!
Never seen the first adaptation of this JD. Have heard it's pretty ordinary - but then again more people than not are saying exactly the same thing about this one!
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
As you said - better a bang than a wimper.