This is a noir film, dark and forboding, It is very unusual
to have the setting in the country - most noir films are in
the mean streets of cities. Very few books or movies can be
classified "country noir". I don't see any comedy - I was too
busy watching the psychopathic serial killer on the loose
(even psychiatrists get scared, sometimes). A good movie.
I think I'll watch it again.
"Sea of Heartbreak"song (1961) in background nice to hear again.
Very dark film, indeed. The most noticeable thing to me, besides watching the narcissistic happy-go-lucky killer, was the way the movie is so dark and murderous while the sun is shining down so bright. Usually, these kind of noir films are in the dark, in the alley, in the basement. This tale takes place in the sun-filled country. I think your term "country noir" is a perfect description of this film. IMHO, V.Vaughn should have won an award for playing Lester. I believed him. He made it Real. He is why this movie is so haunting and good.
shareA good part of the fun in this film is in watching Clay cope.
"a malcontent who knows how to spell"
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I really wish this movie was on blu-ray so it can be better enjoyed.
It's not even in HD on Netflix instant watch.
I have worn out my dvd of because I have watched it too much.
I remember the first time I got to see this excellent movie on dvd I watched it twice in a roll because I loved it so much.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO PUT THIS MOVIE ON BLU-RAY!!!
For some dumb reason VV's movie's before he became big time are not on blu-ray.
It took a while to even get Swingers on blu-ray.
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911 Clay, how hard can it be?
check out most of Jim Thompson's work. All noir, very little (if any) set in the "mean streets". Actually, a lot is set in the country or deep south. And when the novel "Pop. 1280" was made into the film "Coup de torchon" it was set in a French colony in Africa.
And check out the most recent movie from his books - "The Killer Inside Me".
Great review and Lester is always laughing which is a counterpoint to his
psychopathy. Actually there are more killings in the country of the serial
murder type because there are no witnesses around.