Review of Ted Bundy (2009) by Mark D — 02 Dec 2007

I found this fascinating just because of the mere shocking cold sickness and weird sexual compulsiveness of Bundy's killing, as well as his perversions, and his ability to charm and gain trust. The film is probably not so well made, but I lost sight of that by simply being interested (astounded) by the state of mind of this man, and how, all the same, he's just a man, like many other a man.

There are little elements of psychological conflict hinted at, but not really investigated (but then can, or should a film do anything more than show events? though insight from later prison interviews and the like should have perhaps provided more insightful material), and elements of absurdity (his banal compusiveness and his harmless demeanour, and how people are so tragically suckered by him and led to horror through little everyday decisions; like just to help someone with a suitcase, etc.

). The cold brutality of his execution provides a paradoxical element to stimulate thought, but many would probably just react with 'yeah, suffer, you evil bastard!'. But again, this is all about how the story itself is interesting, and you can read that on wikipedia.

How worthwhile the film is in itself is debatable. As a medium for information (though there are, it seems, some minor factual errors) and a possibility to meditate on it, and an alternative way to present it, it serves its purpose.

But maybe someone wrote a good book. My rating is little to do with artistic or technical merit, and more to do with the fact that I felt I was offered food for thought by seeing this story.