Rent Kalifornia (1993)

Superb Thriller - Brad Pitt Is Outstanding - Kalifornia review by GI

This is an interesting and very entertaining addition to the psychopath/serial killer sub-genre. Brad Pitt plays Early, an uneducated piece of 'white trash' who along with his girlfriend Adele (great performance by Juliette Lewis), joins Brian & Carrie (David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes), an educated couple, he a writer and she a photographer, as they embark on a trip to California. Brian is writing a book about famous murder cases and is visiting the old crime scenes along the way. The trouble is Early's a psychopath! I always admire Pitt's selection of roles, he likes to challenge himself and the audience expectations and whilst his almost cartoonish Early is both fun and very frightening he really dominates this film. Lewis is a close second as the dopey Adele, a wonderful piece of acting. The narrative doesn't try and skimp on what's coming, the film gets quickly into a kidnap scenario and when Early's homicidal nature kicks in it does so with gusto. A quick mention too for Michelle Forbes who plays the moody and perceptive Carrie. She's really very good here and is an actor that we should see more of. The director Dominic Sena uses his camera in some interesting ways and whilst occasionally he seems voyeuristic in his shots you'll soon see what he's driving at. This is a great crime film and if you've not seen it then I highly recommend it.