Coming at the tail end of the sixties, when the American dream ideal was hugely doubted, Peter Bogdanovich's debut film is pretty much like no other around at that time. It tells the dual stories of two individuals and how fate and circumstance bring them together.
Boris Karloff plays aged Bryan Orlok, in a role that mirrors his own personal life, as he decides to quit the movie business due to his own increasing apathy with the changing world around him. At the same time Bobby Thompson, a young man who is paranoid and disconnected from society, goes over the edge and decides to make his mark by killing.
The style and tone of the film makes this a refreshing and alternative take on how people interact, with more than its fair share of social commentaries. Filmed with a slow, methodical approach, and bereft of soundtrack, its cold objective view of the two lead characters, especially with the killer, makes for unsettling viewing. The acting is also top notch and if you were ever in doubt of the talents of Karloff then this will surely convince. He effortlessly handles the often lengthy takes with great skill and at one point recounts a scary tale that will please his fans. The scene near the end where Karloff turns and marches towards the assailant is outstanding.
Echoing the real life killings carried out by Charles Whitman two years previous which shook America, this is a short sharp shock into a particular heart of darkness.
Boris Karloff plays aged Bryan Orlok, in a role that mirrors his own personal life, as he decides to quit the movie business due to his own increasing apathy with the changing world around him. At the same time Bobby Thompson, a young man who is paranoid and disconnected from society, goes over the edge and decides to make his mark by killing.
The style and tone of the film makes this a refreshing and alternative take on how people interact, with more than its fair share of social commentaries. Filmed with a slow, methodical approach, and bereft of soundtrack, its cold objective view of the two lead characters, especially with the killer, makes for unsettling viewing. The acting is also top notch and if you were ever in doubt of the talents of Karloff then this will surely convince. He effortlessly handles the often lengthy takes with great skill and at one point recounts a scary tale that will please his fans. The scene near the end where Karloff turns and marches towards the assailant is outstanding.
Echoing the real life killings carried out by Charles Whitman two years previous which shook America, this is a short sharp shock into a particular heart of darkness.