DAHMER (2002)
So I finally got around to seeing The Avengers (2012). Which left me, like everyone else, teeming with Avenger fever. So I did the next logical step: I set out to hunt down the Avengers cast on Netflix and see if I could find anything to take the edge off. So I popped in Dahmer. Let's just say I couldn't get further from Hawkeye if I tried. Dahmer is a retelling of the life of Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer who murdered 17 men. And occasionally raped them and ate their flesh. Sounds horrifying? It is. Though now have a good theory about where Joss Whedon's Reavers came from.
Dahmer is one of those high-profile stories that demands an audience. However, it's clear that this was the only thing the writers banked on when doing the script. The movie has two timelines running simultaneously alongside each other. Moving forward, we have Jeffrey Dahmer grooming his latest victim--a flashy, flamboyant black man, Rodney. Told in reverse, we have the story of how Jeffrey Dahmer became the psychopath he is. In theory, this kind of storytelling should work, but the transitions are a little too sloppy. We've got flashbacks in flashbacks. Yeah. That.
However, Dahmer has a couple saving graces. The story is twisted and intense. Jeffrey Dahmer is neither demonized or forgiven. But the real reason to see this movie? The acting. After watching Jeremy Renner pull off the calm, rational Hawkeye, you really get the full extent of his acting abilities when you see him as the socially inept, mentally damaged Dahmer. Matching him frame-for-frame is Artel Great, who plays Rodney. Artel Great is full of energy and vibrance and he adds a layer of much-needed humanity to the film. In short, if drawn out scenes of mutilation and psychological torment don't make you run for cover, I'd recommend this one solely for the exceptional acting.
Dahmer is one of those high-profile stories that demands an audience. However, it's clear that this was the only thing the writers banked on when doing the script. The movie has two timelines running simultaneously alongside each other. Moving forward, we have Jeffrey Dahmer grooming his latest victim--a flashy, flamboyant black man, Rodney. Told in reverse, we have the story of how Jeffrey Dahmer became the psychopath he is. In theory, this kind of storytelling should work, but the transitions are a little too sloppy. We've got flashbacks in flashbacks. Yeah. That.
However, Dahmer has a couple saving graces. The story is twisted and intense. Jeffrey Dahmer is neither demonized or forgiven. But the real reason to see this movie? The acting. After watching Jeremy Renner pull off the calm, rational Hawkeye, you really get the full extent of his acting abilities when you see him as the socially inept, mentally damaged Dahmer. Matching him frame-for-frame is Artel Great, who plays Rodney. Artel Great is full of energy and vibrance and he adds a layer of much-needed humanity to the film. In short, if drawn out scenes of mutilation and psychological torment don't make you run for cover, I'd recommend this one solely for the exceptional acting.
I'm in absolute agreement about this. Renner turns in a chilling performance. I remember all about Dahmer as his kill zone was here in Chicago and Milwaukee. I remember watching the news and being horrified as all the gruesome evidence was wheeled out. What a monster and Renner pulled it off.
ReplyDeleteWord! That's pretty frightening--the dude was a monster. End of story. A tragic one, but they all are. Time to retract back into the comfortable world of fiction, where you can tell the zombies apart from everyone else by their smell and groaning.
DeleteI haven't seen this - but if you two movie mavens think it's worth a watch - I'm on it!
ReplyDeleteIf you've got an iron-clad stomach, I say do it! And it's on Netflix, so it's not hard to come by.
DeleteM, this movie sounds way too freaky to me. The stories in the news about people eating is enough for me.
ReplyDelete- Maurice Mitchell
The Geek Twins | Film Sketchr
@thegeektwins | @mauricem1972
It's definitely not for the weak-of-stomach. I'm good at taking movies that fuck with your mind, but this...definitely made me uncomfortable at bits. It's the things you don't see, really, that do it. In short: it's good to know your limits!
DeleteYeah this is a movie not without its faults, but damn if Renner doesn't own that role. Nice review here.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! The movie itself has its ups and downs, but Renner is completely fantastic. Homeboy has skills.
DeleteI totally agree with you here. I've always been really interested in true crime and serial killers specifically and I'm sort of baffled that there are barely any decent films about them. Like you said Dahmer works because of the performances but overall it's not a well made film.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see Renner's career blowing up now though because he deserves it 100%
Agreed! True crime is always fascinating, even if horrifying. Truth is so often stranger and more terrifying than fiction! But I agree that it's hard for movies to find a good balance of demonizing and sympathizing. They should make good stories, but most writers seem to be afraid to touch them.
DeleteAnd that man definitely deserves it!
I'm not sure whether I'm up to seeing this movie or not -- I'm all for pushing myself outside of my comfort zone when it comes to evil and brutality, but I'm on the fence about this one.
ReplyDeleteDahmer as an inspiration for the Reavers? Now THAT'S an interesting idea! :-)