Review of Maniac (2012) by Warren B — 08 Mar 2013

I was really looking forward to this film and wanted to love it. But I don't understand why this movie got so many positive reviews from critics. It adds nothing new to the genre, and doesn't seem to have much to say. It feels like the remake it is, without bringing anything to the table. The idea of shooting from the protagonist's point of view was interesting but the convention was broken for no reason at several points (when questioned on this at the director's screening I was at, the director couldn't explain why). He was also asked "Don't you think making a misogynist movie in 2012 is a bit passe?" and he replied something like, "But the women look great, they have no clothes on!" Uh huh.

Also, the casting was odd - the French lead actress is never explained, but it seems to be a purely financial requirement when you look at the credits, which reveal it to be a French co-production. This felt forced to me.

And lastly, the location in LA just doesn't work. It's obvious that the script was originally meant to be set in New York and seems to always be trying to mimic NY locations. The director said "But there are no empty dark alleyways in New York, there are always people around!" The dude has obviously never walked through the Lower East Side at 4am. And who actually takes the subway in LA?