I would like to call this movie a "mystery detective". Why? Because it has got this rather unusual combination of elements of both a mystery story and a detective story in it. Definitely NOT suited for the masses. This is only suited for an arthouse audience, because this is in NO way close to any regular detective movie. It's depressing, bleak and ugly. Yet so powerful and impressive simultaneously.
The story is about an alcoholic cop (Tommy Lee Jones) investigating a murder of a young girl. So far, no surprises. What is unique though about this story is the fact that the portrait of the mental state of this addicted cop slowly becomes the main focus of this movie. The more the cop finds out new clues about who killed the girl, the more he seems to lose his mind. The cops mental breakdown is portrayed in such a slowburning, unsettling and mysterious way that the cop's downfall becomes eerily fascinating to watch.
Great acting by Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman. Terrific soundtrack by Buddy Guy among others. The editing in the theatrical version (15 minutes shorter) is not top notch though, otherwise this story would have had a higher rating. There are lots of scenes following eachother that dont blend too smoothly. Only a minor flaw though. Why complain about it then? Because the rest of the movie is so delicate and special. "Electric Mist" COULD have been really great if the editing would have had a more natural flow. Choose the director's cut, when available (117 min), it seems to have a more natural flow to it, so have I read from other Imdb reviewers.
"Electric Mist" is still an impressive portrait though about a past that cant be erased how ever hard one tries to burry it beneath years of alcohol intoxication...
The story is about an alcoholic cop (Tommy Lee Jones) investigating a murder of a young girl. So far, no surprises. What is unique though about this story is the fact that the portrait of the mental state of this addicted cop slowly becomes the main focus of this movie. The more the cop finds out new clues about who killed the girl, the more he seems to lose his mind. The cops mental breakdown is portrayed in such a slowburning, unsettling and mysterious way that the cop's downfall becomes eerily fascinating to watch.
Great acting by Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman. Terrific soundtrack by Buddy Guy among others. The editing in the theatrical version (15 minutes shorter) is not top notch though, otherwise this story would have had a higher rating. There are lots of scenes following eachother that dont blend too smoothly. Only a minor flaw though. Why complain about it then? Because the rest of the movie is so delicate and special. "Electric Mist" COULD have been really great if the editing would have had a more natural flow. Choose the director's cut, when available (117 min), it seems to have a more natural flow to it, so have I read from other Imdb reviewers.
"Electric Mist" is still an impressive portrait though about a past that cant be erased how ever hard one tries to burry it beneath years of alcohol intoxication...