Review of Simon Killer (2012) by Paul R — 11 Oct 2013

I so wish I felt a little more positive about this film and are itching to give it just half more stars but I feel like I'm trying to hard. On reflection it's mainly down to three issues.

1. It's soooo slow it just plods along, and the first half just never really got going.

2. Sex... Lots of it. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but there's too much sex. Reached a point where is felt distractingly unnecessary.

3. The main character has so little positive human traits that at no point in the film do you warm to him or anyone. Isolated, the audience can't completely commit to the film.

Even though I seem to rip it apart with these points, Simon Killer really sucked me back in and I was utterly intrigued where this was going, all the way through. This was down to its slow and focused direction, a splendid performance from our lead and a film that doesn't follow a theme or genre. It's un-categorisable... Some drama, but not a drama, not a horror, no thrills, no mystery. Not only does it not fit into any genre but it also leaves every stone unturned, the journey we follow never really concludes but that's half it's charm. A lot must also be said for its brilliant use of music with a fantastic soundtrack.

Simon Killer was intriguing but just turned out to be a snap shot of Simon's life, no real beginning, no real end. Just a trip through a troubling part of his journey to France.