Review of Natural Born Killers (1994) by James A — 26 Apr 2012

A hyperstylized, visually jarring, at times disorientating story about serial killers and the vulture culture that arises around them. Some parts work, like Mallory's abusive home life being filtered through the medium of sitcom; other moments seem unsure of themselves, as if Stone can't decide whether he wants to be serious or satirical. As a result, the film can come across as a series of random sequences piecemealed together. Good thing all the meandering gets a top-notch soundtrack!

Still, I think the character of Wayne Gale an amusing and potent creation, acting as the embodiment of the collective's fascination with predatory killers. His line-blurring between spectator and perpetrator hint at some kind of vicarious yearning waiting to be tapped within those who celebritize the serial killer. Stone's way of implicating and indicting his audience, perhaps?

(Also, this is the second film I've watched this week featuring O-Lan Jones as a diner girl: what's with that?).