The Riverman (2004 TV Movie)
5/10
Not too bad, though not all that intense
8 September 2004
This was decent, though not all that great. I thought some of the acting was good, by Greenwood and Elwes. The cinematography was well done. Conceptually the story was decent, but not all that intense. You learn some new things about Bundy, if you're interested in the serial killer (which seems to be primarily an American phenomenon).

I thought the story was a bit disjointed though. You go from the introduction of the kilings, to Greenwood, the ex-detective/ cop, to Bundy; but there's this Green River Killer, whom, to me, was sort of left in the background, with Bundy apparently attempting to assist in the investigation.

I thought the story was more telling of how many additional people Bundy killed, or what his thoughts and background was, rather than concentrating on the Green River Killer.

Yes, they reveal, briefly, in the end, who The Green River Killer is, and how many he killed, etc., but it didn't do all that much for me. I thought there'd be some real connection there other than people or serial killers and 'going inside the mind of a killer'.

I'd almost have rather they left the entire Bundy thing out of it, or at least not concentrated on it so much. It's an interesting point of view, but I believe they relied too heavily on it. I'd have rather seen more about the actual serial killer and his story, perhaps with an additional half hour of material (but this is a TV movie, hard to do with all those commercials).

I'm fascinated by serial killers in general, not sure why exactly. Just find the American thing interesting (not that they don't exist elsewhere, but the fact that our media covers them so widely, it's like they become movie-stars, and famous for 15 minutes, just as Warhol predicted; how our pop society seems to want fame over anything else). I find that sickening personally. Therein I guess lies the fascination, odd as it may seem.

I only partially enjoyed this film. Some good talent, reasonably well done, but a bit lacking in intensity I think. I didn't really feel all that creeped out by it, as others may have suggested. Intriguing but not intense.

I gave it a 5/10. Almost deserves a 6/10, which seems to be the average so far.
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