Kalifornia (2000, DVD)

My husband bought another movie the other night with the thought that I would really like it. I wasn't sure about it I had never heard of it. But the back of the movie proclaimed that it was about a serial killer. Now I realize that it's a bit twisted, but I am fascinated with serial killers in general. So, even though I wasn't sure I was going to like it I gave it a try.

Upon opening the dvd I had to start by making a decision. The dvd contained both the cut and un-cut version. What the heck, let's go for the uncut version. I think I can handle it. The beginning scene is a bit obscure. Dark, rainy scene where a man stops his car to pick up a young girl in red stilleto heels who is hitchhiking. As they drive under a bridge, someone drops a huge rock down on the windshield causing them to wreck. It then breaks to another scene taking place at a party where Brian Kessler (played by David Duchovny) is talking about serial killers. His thought is that they shouldn't be punished but receive treatment because they are mentally ill.

As the movie begins to unfold you learn that Brian's girlfriend, Carrie Laughlin (played by Michelle Forbes) is a photographer who is having a hard time selling her work due to the erotic quality of it. Carrie is convinced if they could move to California she could sell her work. Brian has been offered a book deal to write a book about serial killers. And since he has already spent the advance money, he's locked into writing it. So he decides to take a trip cross country visiting the killing sites of some of the serial killers, with Carrie doing the photography for the book. The trip will end them in California where they can then settle down. The only problem they can't afford the trip.

Enter Early Grayce (played by Brad Pitt) and his girlfriend, Adele (played by Juliette Lewis). A socially trashy and destitute couple who rent a disgusting, broken down trailer while they live off of her meager earnings as a waitress. Adele is a very naive and simple creature who believes Early's word to be sacred. He has convinced her that California is the promised land. In some of the first few scenes with him, you get the feeling that he's not playing with a full deck. Early is visited by his parole officer who forces him into applying for a job at the local college as a janitor. It's here that he finds Brian's posting on the message board looking for someone to ride to California with them and share expences. This brings the two most unlikely of couples together. And they are off to visit killing sites and a quest for California.

With Brian trying to be open minded and accepting, Carrie trying not to show disgust at the other couple, Adele trying way to hard to make friends and Early being his usual, freaky self they set forth to cross the country. Carrie voices her concerns to Brian that the other couple does not seem to be in any position financially to support their end of the expenses. Brian assures her that it will all be fine. When they stop for gas next Brian tells Early it's his turn to pay for the gas. Early then follows another man into the restroom and brutally murders him and takes his money. There's a shocker Early being capable of murder. I knew from the beginning that he wasn't playing with a full deck. And so the killing begins.

I'll stop there and let you watch the rest of the movie to see what happens. But I will share one scene with you that is stuck in my head since watching it. It does give away a bit of the plot, so if you don't want to continue reading, I would understand. There is a scene when Early has wounded a cop. He then gives Brian a gun and hold another to Brian's head. Early tells him that either he shoot the cop or Early is going to kill him. A tense moment follows. Then Brian throws down the gun and walks away. It was that moment that really made me think could I really kill someone? Even to save my own life. Could I do it? Could you? I've often sat and wondered where that line is. Each person has their own line. But what could make you cross that line? The scary thought is that serial killers have no sense of right or wrong. They have no remorse. They have no line.

I found this movie fascinating. I wouldn't say that it was a fun movie. It's violent, it shows some rather explicite sex scenes. It's gritty. But it was griping. I found myself looking at Early and listening to his reasoning and understanding what he was saying. Which says to me that the movie did a good job. It took me to a place where I had never been before. Brad Pitt does a wonderful job of portraying a psychotic killer. While he is most known for his handsome face, you see none of that here. You see a dirty, chipped toothed, foul human. You can just tell that if you were there he would stink. Excellent job by him.

David Duchovny has been accused of being like vanilla ice cream bland and unemotional. But I don't think that's true. I love Duchovny and felt that he did another excellent job here. His role in this movie showed him doing what he does best. Being the nice guy. But when push comes to shove, he shines through. While I don't think that it's a huge stretch for him, I think he shows the same solid acting that I know him to be capable of.

Michelle Forbes, as Carrie, does a wonderful job of playing the slightly snotty, snobbish girlfriend. She has a bit of class that is lacking in Carrie. While I found her acting to be a bit cold, it suits the character that she is playing. But I do have to say that I never did warm up to her in the role.

Juliette Lewis, as Adele, does an absolutely fabulous job of playing the simple, na ve young girl. She manages to make it look believable that someone could be that way. The nervous giggle, the struggle to be liked, the whole persona is well done. You can't watch this without feeling some kind of sympathy for her. There have been comments from others that say that Forbes here is just re-creating her role from Cape Fear. First of all, it's been years since I've seen that movie, so I guess it could be true. But my other thought on this is, if something works, why not stick with it. And she did an excellent job in this role.

I watched this movie in dvd format which included both the cut and uncut version. I have yet to view the cut version and so can't tell you what the difference between the two are. The cut version is Rated-R. The uncut version is unrated. It does contain some explicite violence and sex scenes. When I do watch the cut version, if there is a really big difference I will update my op to show the differences. It also contains the theatrical trailer and a featurette showing bits about the making of the film. I felt that the extra features could have been better. I would have loved to have gotten more information about the making of the film, more interviews with the stars as well as the research they did before making the movie. But beggars can't be chosers. The run time is approximately 1 hour and 55 minutes. And in my opinion it is time well spent. While I give this movie two thumbs up, I would also add to it the fact that this movie really isn't for everyone. Being violent, gritty, gut wrenching there are many people out there who would find it disgusting and disturbing. So, be warned if you are not into that kind of thing this a sure miss for you. But if you are ready for a twisted ride into the dark side of murder, you might want to give this a chance.