I saw Killer Joe this afternoon and really liked it. A lot.
It’s directed by William Friedkin of The French Connection and The Exorcist fame. With those great films in the bag, you wonder why it’s been almost 20 years since Friedkin has made a ‘mainstream’ movie. And, ‘mainstream’ is definitely not a word to use to describe Killer Joe.
Possibly best characterized as a ‘black comedy’, KJ is a sometimes shocking, sometimes hilarious, one-of-a-kind movie. From the bit of reading I’ve now done on it, the film seems to have already developed a, shall we say, infamous, reputation. Still, and without giving anything away, I don’t think it’s justified - KJ is no more violent than any one of dozens of movies of the last decade. Sure, there’s some full frontal (female) nudity, but that’s hardly news nowadays. No, its infamy stems from a single (fairly extended) scene which I would spoil by any attempt to even hint at what it involves.
I won’t even say anything about the plot (for those who want a summary, most of the user reviews at the IDMB link above will more than suffice). Again, even knowing the plot might detract from your enjoyment of this terrific flick. Best bet in my opinion, is to go in cold - not knowing anything about it except that it’s . . . different.
Mostly I wanted to say that Matthew McConaughey was absolutely amazing in the lead role. I didn’t know he had it in him. Indeed, IMNSHO, he has taken his place among some of the legendary cinematic depictions of the evil/creepy bad guys. Think Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet or DeNiro in Cape Fear. A tour-de-force that mixes charm, chivalry, sadism, and psychosis to conjure up a unique and unsettling movie villain.
Anyone else see it? Whaddya think?
I wanted to see it, ached to see it, but it only played at the Landmark Theater and I avoid that theater like the Plague (unless I have a free pass)*. I’m glad you liked it.
- The Landmark is incredibly snobby and expensive and only meant for upscale people who don’t have to think about the money they’re spending. Plus, for where I like to sit, it has the most uncomfortable seats in the city. I miss so many great movies because they only play there. Sigh.
If they ever started a discount night for us minimum wage movie-lover peons, I’d be there every week, seeing multiple films. I’d spend lots of money there, the way I do now at the Music Box ($5 Mondays!) and the Gene Siskel Film Center ($6 w membership!) with their discounts. As it is, they get no money at all from me. Fuck 'em. Too bad about the movies I miss though sob.
I’m sorry you didn’t get to see it.
Ironically, in Toronto, where I saw it, it’s actually playing at one of the low-cost theaters. A bit of a smaller screen, but that’s okay, it’s a small auditorium (with a killer sound system). And, besides, it used digital film ‘projection’, so quite a nice, crisp picture in any case.
Maybe you can come visit us?
You’re lucky it’s playing at a reasonable theater. I have been keeping an eye on some of the other theaters in hopes that it will show up. There have been so many theaters closed in the Chicago area our options, while vastly superior to most places, is much more limited than it used to be.
Thanks for reminding me. I finally decided to go see it today (it was filmed around here, so I’m surprised it isn’t playing in more theatres, but I just found a perfect time/place for me to view it) so I’ll be seeing it in a few hours – I just love Juno Temple, and I like to see everything she’s in, so this was really a no-brainer for me.
I take it you’ve seen Kaboom!, right? She’s absolutely wonderful in that.
Damn, now I’m reminded that Juno Temple is in this. I wonder if it’s still playing…
Edit: Nope. Damn.