Sometimes you see a movie and...

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and...it's a whole big bag of things you don't think you've seen before. You've become accustomed to formula, to Hollywood or whatever. Then something starts happening like splicing the soundtrack into the dialogue. Has somebody ever done that? I'm sure they have, but I can't recall. And I've seen a whole bunch of films. This one is The Killer on Netflix.

 
 
Adapted from the graphic novels by French writer Alexis Nolent a.k.a. Matz and illustrated by Luc Jacamon.
Yeah, that soundtrack. (Trent Reznor/Atticus Ross) lots of Smiths and you become accustomed to Morrissey's singing and lyrics as part of Michael Fassbender's first person account of how to be a successful hit guy. Let me list some of the parts that make this an outstanding modern noir.
Characters like they spilled over from the old Howard Hawks film The Big Sleep each one more delicious and full of crazy nuances than the previous - Tilda Swinton Sophie Charlotte Kerry O'Malley (a personal new favorite) Sala Baker Arliss Howard Charles Parnell each one delivering du jour performances fleshed out onscreen that lure you the viewer into the dark like a good noir should.
Directed by David SeVen Mank The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Fincher
Written by Andrew Kevin Nerdland 8mm Windfall Walker
I was reminded of other good noirs like The Grifters The Killer Inside Me The Big Heat to me the great ones are the flawed characters that have you pulling for them from the comfort of your chair. Even though they're a killer or even worse, you want them to prevail.
Lot's of fun for the tv watcher in this one. The killer whose name we never know but who breaks all the creative writing rules by doing the whole thing in first person (which I love anyway) and tells us all his secrets and tips feelings and comments on life (listen for the one of people who live in Florida) goes by a directory of names familiar to us 70's tv show junkies.
Oy...and the costume department. Nobody's done casual chic this good since Princess Di.
A lot of thought and care went into the film - which includes the photography which makes you want to dive inside like it's a big painting - the editing - again, the writing w/so many carefully and painfully chosen perfect words. All the stuff that makes a good film a great one.
This is a movie, again, that makes you realize you've lowered your standards when it comes to watching films. The downside being, it will affect the next viewings as I'll want to repeat the experience and there just aren't that many groundbreakers out there. Lots and lots of stars.


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