The Killer Inside Me
Director: Michael Winterbottom
With: Casey Affleck, Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Elias Koteas, Simon Baker, Ned Beatty
From Jim Thompson’s horrifying 1952 novel, which should be read.
Lou Ford (Affleck) is a deputy sheriff in Central City, Texas. Sexually abused and warped as a child, his evil impulses are just below the surface, and they emerge as he enters a brutal sado-masochistic relationship with a prostitute, Joyce (Alba). He was supposed to run her out of town, but instead he teams up with her to blackmail the local town rich guy (Beatty), whose son was involved with Joyce.
Lou kills both Joyce and the man’s son, and frames Joyce for the killing. Even though Lou is a cop, there are those in town who see through him, including the local labor leader (Koteas) and the county prosecutor (Baker). As Lou’s alibis begin to fall apart, he has to commit ever more terrible acts to cover his trail.
There are at least two major plot flaws in this film, and I can’t remember if they were carried over from the book. It prevents the movie from being terrific.
And, I’ve never been a big fan of Affleck’s, although I give him propers for his last 2 movies, Gone Baby Gone (2007), and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007).
As for this one, it could have been a B+ without those plot holes.
One more thing. This is not for everyone. It is about violence to women, even though men die as well. And, those scenes are not easy to watch.
This is at Cinema 21 until 7/29. It may move to another theater.
C+