Review of Man Bites Dog (1992) by Tim L — 04 Oct 2009

Probably the nastiest and most disheartening film I've yet to see. I've given it 2 stars, not because it's a badly made film, quite the contrary it shows a great deal of originality and talent in the way it is shot, the excellent acting and the guts it must have taken to make such a 'different' kind of film. I've scored it badly however, because it is not a film I would ever want to watch or think about again - that's how sickening it really is (and I'm sure is meant to be).

Ben is a serial killer who takes great pride in his 'work.' This is hardly a new idea as such; especially as this came out at a time when the serial killer in films was really coming to prominence (Hannibal Lector and Henry being 2 such characters in the cinema around the time). What does make this so disconcerting is that it takes the form of a documentary/reality TV program, in which a crew follows him around and casually film him as he proudly maims, tortures and kills innocent people. It's not so much the killer himself who disturbs you (in fact it often makes you wonder how he hasn't been caught earlier, as he seems as subtle as a brick through a window!) but the crew who keep filming (or even take part) as he induces an old lady to heart-attack, rapes an innocent women and suffercates a small child - all whilst explaining his methods to them as if he were simply a plumber or an electrician describing his methods; the crew listening intently as if it's the most natural thing in the world (I told you this was a nasty film!).

This presentation of horrific acts as if they are common place is, I guess a way to try to challenge where our morality comes from and whether it stands up when we are being told that what we find abhorrent is not the majority view. We are also challenged to question our own voyerism point blank. We are forced to listen to his rants on everything from architecture to classical music as he guides us through his twisted mind, and we, as viewers of the film are forced to become part of his twisted world as if we are willing participants in it.

Another side of the film which is hard to take (and made me pretty angry, which I'm guessing is the desired effect) was the double standards presented. On the one hand, human life (particularly innocent and vulnerable people such as the elderly and children) is presented as being throwaway and meaningless, as if worthy game for his sick and twisted sport. Yet, when the sound man receives a fatal bullet from a man trying to defend himself, the film maker is filmed crying and shaken; saying what a terrible injustice it is. I'm guessing again that what the film makers are trying to say here is that we seem to have a gradient of worth for human life in the media; seeing out 'enemies' as sub-human and expendible, but our love ones as sacred.

A very clever film, that does what it sets out to do in provoking you to examine (and hopefully strengthern) your own morality in the face of such a horrendous outlook that is presented here.

Not one I would recommend or want to see again however!