Review of Kalifornia (1993) by Elijah B — 26 Jun 2010

An unremittingly bleak, unforgettably disturbing, powerful piece of film concerning a writer and an artist (David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes, respectively) and a white trash couple (Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis) who carpool together across the USA in hopes of reaching California - where dreams come true.

Only problem - writer Duchovny doesn't realize that one of the many serial killers he is trying to understand is sitting right in the back of his car. This is a movie that is anchored by four megawatt performances (including Juliette Lewis! An incredible shocker for me) and one that goes all-out in its jolting finale.

This is by far the best work Brad Pitt has ever turned in, as he creates an uncompromisingly sadistic, shallow character that is so stripped of basic emotions he becomes more and more ferociously terrifying as the film proceeds.

The movie falls in that dreaded territory of "good, but probably won't want to see it again due to how depressing it is", however. It is definitely not for everyone, but it is irrefutably an original, effectively made piece concerning a very dangerous (and all to seemingly real) character that won't exit your mind quickly by any means.