Review of Citizen X (1995) by Alison D — 18 Jan 2008

Based on a true story. In the twilight years of the Soviet Union an inexperianced detective (Stephen Rea in one of the best most human performances ever) must hunt a serial killer known as Citizen X (Jeffery DeMunn in a chilling performance as Andrei Chikatilo, publicly an incompetent factory worker, privately a serial rapist/killer).

Along the way the detective must battle politicians (Joss Ackland is intimidating as a power mad buericrat) who hamper his investigation at every turn. Donald Sutherland adds some (very dry) humor as Rea's superior and ally, well Max Von Sydow is great as the pyschatrist enlisted to create a profile of the killer.

Excellent film about a disturbing subject handled humanly and with a great deal of restraint. Watch it.