Review of Kalifornia (1993) by Filipeneto — 14 Mar 2020

Amoral, surreal and brutal.

This film is a somewhat surreal story about a potential writer who decides to write about real crimes and serial killers. For that, he will visit the crime scenes with his photographer girlfriend and a bizarre couple, who they arranged to share expenses: she looks like the dumbest and most needy creature on the planet and he is stupid, unhygienic and gross.

I think the film is a bit anti-climatic in that everything is quite evident and we get a clear idea of ​​how things are going to go. It is obvious that Brad Pitt's character is going to be a murderer. Despite that, seeing Pitt is one of the biggest attractions here. He showed his talent perfectly, erasing his charm and becoming disgusting, repellent, stupid and so cruel that he impresses us. At her side, Juliette Lewis was fantastic in playing a naive, needy young woman with no education and a past of pain and abuse, but who sincerely loves the only man she thinks has treated her well. David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes bring sophisticated and creative characters to life, very different from their fellow travelers, and the interaction that arises between them, as well as the dual relationship of sympathy and disgust, are an essential part of the entire film. At this point, dialogues are essential.

The film is violent, has many graphic scenes and is not suitable for minors. When deciding on a somewhat amoral approach, where we are the ones who judge about the characters' character and attitudes, the film becomes strange for most people, as we are not used to it. A good photograph, good props and scenes, an interesting play of light and shadow and many dialogues make the film tiring for those who want only action and violence, but interesting for those looking for something more profound and even philosophical.