Review of Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (1992) by Stephen M — 08 Sep 2009

Hmm, this documentary is a bit of a mess. It feels like Nick Broomfield wanted to make an informative piece about the life and crimes of Aileen Wuornos and was forced to switch focus to the supporting players because the star wouldn't leave her dressing room for an interview.

Sure, it's interesting enough watching these opportunistic vultures feathering their nests but this isn't the really the story we're looking for, is it? The film has also been weakened in places by the turn of events that followed.

For example, the chilling description of an electric chair execution now seems redundant because, of course, Wuornos was executed by lethal injection. My favourite moment is when Broomfield and his crew finally go in to meet Wuornos and the prison guard asks him whether he has any secret cameras hidden in his belt.

Broomfield's wry reply: "Er, no. I just have this rather large one, right here.".