Review of Benny's Video (1992) by Bill B — 14 Jan 2009

Any film starting out with genuine footage of a pig being slaughtered is destined to be dark and unsettling for the rest of the film. And while I initially wanted to criticize this film for succumbing to the cliche of "Oh, if kids watch violent films, they will eventually commit violent acts" argument, I thought the film had a little more substance than that argument. Granted, Benny was seeking out violence in the films he was renting, but when it came down to what he really became obsessed with, it was the self-shot footage of a genuine pig slaughter. He didn't just play it in the background while he did other things, he played it over and over again in slow motion which eventually inspired his own recreation of the act portrayed in the film he shot.

And he was not turned crazy by the footage, it was clear he was nuts from the get go. He just needed access to a tool and opportunity. So while I could see the video being the argument for his acting out, I seriously doubt it wouldn't have come about otherwise if given the chance. He was a complete sociopath who had zero understanding of people outside his own world, felt no remorse for his actions, and (SPOILER WARNING) eventually turned in his own parents for actions that he was purely responsible for.

I felt this was an interesting film, and I could easily keep going on the pros of it, but instead I will address the cons...

(Again, SPOILER WARNING) I want to know what happened to Benny! Yes, he turned in his own parents. But the film gave the impression that he, himself, was let off free. I am not particularly familiar with German law involving crime of minors, and I know that the parents did discuss the repercussions on their end of turning in their sun, but was he really let off without a problem? As a filmmaker, you have to give us a LITTLE more than simply saying "He turned in his parents! And he said a very unconvincing apology as they were being taken away!".