Review of Kalifornia (1993) by Stuart K — 02 Sep 2011

The debut of Dominic Sena, who later did Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) and Swordfish (2001), this is a gritty, grimy violent crime film, made memorable with some colourful characters, and it was this film that helped Brad Pitt get on the road to superstardom, his star was on the rise big time back then.

It has psychology graduate Brian Kessler (David Duchovny), who is developing a book about serial killers, and is invited to move to California when a publisher options the book. Brian plans a road trip from Pittsburgh to California with his photographer girlfriend Carrie Laughlin (Michelle Forbes), visiting the locations of famous serial killings over the years.

However because they don't have much money, they advertise for someone to ride with so they can pay petrol money. The offer is taken up by parolee Early Grayce (Pitt) and his young, childlike girlfriend Adele Corners (Juliette Lewis), Early is a bit of a dangerous character, and he proves to be a dark horse.

Then, while on the road, a body count is left behind everywhere they stay, and Brian and Carrie learn the truth about Early. It is very violent, but Pitt gives an unhinged, psychotic performance, despite a shaggy beard.

It came out around the same time as other killer road trip films like Natural Born Killers, but this has a heart to it and memorable characters.