Review of Simon Killer (2012) by Edward C — 17 Sep 2013

Campos' sophomore effort is a confusing and frustrating examination of a sexually confused, emotionally stunted, graduate school graduate (neuroscience--as he tells anyone and everyone) on a Paris vacation.

He's there, in part, to get over the end of a five-year relationship with "Michelle," who he tells us had cheated on him. His proof is less than convincing. And in that lies the rub. The eponymous Simon may or may not be an unreliable narrator.

The degree to which he deceives--himself, those around him, the viewer--is almost impossible to gauge, though we are given mighty hints. After bouncing around Paris aimlessly he takes up with a prostitute who he persuades to help him blackmail one of her richer clients.

So, we know what he is capable of. But there are annoying, lingering questions. What has become of Michelle? I can't be entirely sure, but I thought the film might have suggested that Michelle was actually a male lover.

Which would explain other aspects of the film. But, again, Campos seems intent on keeping everything suggestive. The film is shot in a widescreen format, but the vast majority of the shots are very tight, often claustrophobic, very angular.

It's a constant reminder of what is *not* being shown.