But that is what made his performance so creepy! I haven't been able to find the Gladden-Davis book the movie was based on, but I read "Stranger in my Bed" by Michael Fleeman which is also about this case. The real John Smith was flat - being a sociopath, he had no affect.
I wish we could see Adam Arkin more often!
I didn't think that was a "flaw" in his performance either! It seemed very realistic to me.
shareAll I could think about was how much he reminded me of Ben Stein. Arkin used to be so sexy, now he's got a Buddha belly. I'd still like to rub it for good luck.
shareArkin used to be so sexy, now he's got a Buddha belly. I'd still like to rub it for good luck.
My sister has a crush(still)on A Arkin lol so like you, when she watch she don't like what he did in the movie lol of course not, who would. But she always find him hot sexy the whole nine. lol
This really is a good movie. 1 of my best true-to-life stories is definitely this one.
He pulled it off really well as J.S.(ex husband of Fran)
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I agree he was very realistic. I marvel at the people who call his performance "flat" - that's the way the murderer was. It seems they want the bad guy to be chewing up the scenery and twirling his mustache along the Jim Carey lines.
On another topic, the part about the first wife being murdered and eventually dumped alongside the road was covered in "Cold Case Files" - saw it about a year ago. I remembered them mentioning that the woman's legs were cut off to fit in the box and thought then that the guy had to be a real creep. Don't remember that any of the other wives were mentioned though.
I found it on alibris.com: http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?binding=&mtype=&keyword=Stra nger+in+my+bed&hs.x=0&hs.y=0&hs=Submit
I'd like to read that book myself. I think I'll order a copy next month when I get some more extra spending money.
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Many serial killers have a flat affect, no emotions to worry about? I thought he was creepy and dead-on as this killer.
My girlfriend was watching this so I joined for the last 2/3 or so. I kinda enjoyed it. I'm not Lifetime movie kind of guy but this story was amazing to say the least. (Besides I think Kelli Williams is cutie, however, I didn't bring that up. Don't want to sleep on the couch for the next week or two.)
This guy was a piece of work, my God wife after wife. The fact this was a true story really hit home. I currently live in BTK's home town to finish my education, so I saw his arrest play out first hand. These two men did remind me of one another.
The scary part was without two woman who did not give up for 9 years, this guy would have continued to re-marry and kill, time and time again. It touched on the work they did, countless letters, phone calls...what determination. Deanna being this guys "friend" while the entire time she knows he killed her mother. From the film it looked like John had a thing for her, I wonder if that was also true?
You mentioned a book, if you happen to catch my post, I would like the names and authors. Might be a good read. I just finished the Scott Peterson bio by Crier, he was another man without a heart.
Very interesting case, Mr. John Smith, and the two women who would not stop until they got him.
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Arkin's performance worked thru the first 3/4 of the movie. Then it became ponderous, numbing, crushing, and boring. This is not his fault, but the fault of making this movie over-long. I was antsy for a denoument by the time the prostitute came in. I shut if off after that point. The movie is too long and belabored - and this made Arkin's performance seem tedious and labored. Not that I don't like "heavy" heavies - just look at Raymond Burr's performance in Rear Window - a deeper, darker version of Arkin's performance, which however has the advantage of being shown only in snippets, and not dragged out through an entire movie.
shareInteresting to see some love his performance, but other one's didn't.(Basta)the part of your post where you're saying he was at times a bit dull etc., i see it as that is how or as the book said,"John Smith at times was dull, as other reports on this killer."Hence i think A Arkin had it down packed,each scene as John Smith. I give him a perfect 10 in this movie. He convince me he was "John Smith." Very good movie.
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