Review of A Short Film About Killing (1988) by Eric M — 01 Jul 2008

Technically, this one's sort of a cheat, since I intended to do a review of "The Decalogue", but I guess Flixter considers that more of a TV series than a movie in itself. Whatever format it is, it's nevertheless breathtaking: a ten-part mini-series inspired by the Ten Commandments that manages to be spiritually profound without ever being preachy.

Kieslowski shows great sympathy and understanding for his flawed characters (a young woman who abducts her child from her mother, a drifter who commits a senseless act of murder, a peeping tom who falls in love with the subject of his voyeurism, and many others), and while he may not condone or excuse their behaviors, he never condemns them either.

A richly compelling experience from beginning to end, "The Decalogue" is essential viewing for anyone interested in films that address the topics of sin and morality without resorting to judgmental dogma.