Wow. What an incredible film − I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be this good. I was originally drawn to this film after hearing Robert Downey Jr was in it, although he doesn’t appear until about mid-way throughout the film − and by then I had almost entirely forgotten about him as the film was so engaging and intriguing.
The film is about Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis), two serial killers who attract the nation’s attention and are almost glorified by the media. I wasn’t surprised that the story was by Quentin Tarantino − the violent nature of this film fits right within his style. However, another reason why I like this film is that is looks at society’s obsession with violence, and how people seem to be becoming desensitised to a point where Mickey and Mallory are almost celebrated as heroes. I think the film also touches on the idea of how individuals become violent − is it really in their blood (as Mickey says), or is it their upbringing (in which case, are young people are at a greater risk, being exposed to more violence in today’s society?).
There is definitely a deeper message within this film, which also depicts the media’s sensationalist coverage of such issues and events. This was mainly done through Robert Downey Jr’s entertaining character Wayne Gale, who much to my amusement, is an Australian journalist who hosts a tabloid show called American Maniacs, and by the end has also changed his outlook and behaviour, sympathising with the killers (before he is shot by them). I have to praise Downey’s Australian accent, which surprised me (as I was not aware he was going to be an Australian character) and was actually well done (it felt a little exaggerated but I think that was because it was so different compared to his American accent, which I was expecting instead!). Now having seen Tropic Thunder and Natural Born Killers, it’s clear Downey can do an Aussie accent well.
What really struck me in this film was the original and creative camera work and editing. From the opening sequence of the film, where Mallory and Mickey kill people at a diner, I was drawn to this film.
On a sidenote, I also found the scene in the drugstore amusing − the fact that they can go and help themselves to snakebite antidotes on the store’s shelves was just so strange. I also loved the scene where a flashback to Mallory’s origins is presented as some sort of old-fashioned TV sitcom portraying a normal family − and we find out Mallory’s upbringing is anything but normal and happy. It’s disturbing and surreal but I was glued to the screen.
Anyway, this sort of thing happens throughout the film − trivial, happy music plays at moments when the murders are killing their victims, really adding to the psychotic nature of this film. That’s what I really admired about this film − it played with conventions and stereotypes, both in content (exploring the attitude towards serial killers), as well as in construction. It played with the typical dramatic and romance conventions, as this really was, in some warped way, a film about two lovers. Their love and dedication is admirable despite the fact they are the most wanted murders. As Mickey says at one point in the film: “Doesn’t anyone in Hollywood believe in kissing anymore?” It’s ways like this that the film plays with your mind − Mickey is presented as some sort of personification of the devil but at the same time, you can’t help but admire some of his sentimental qualities. The use of black and white footage, animation sequences, and rapid intercutting of psychedelic footage with the main frames of the film (such as when they’re driving a car, or what is seen outside the windows or doors), were some of the other techniques that I also really found fascinating.
Lastly, this film had a fantastic soundtrack, with artists such as Leonard Cohen, Peter Gabriel, a lot of heavy rock, as well as 1960s rock ‘n’ roll, perfectly complementing this great film. Visually engaging and matched with an awesome soundtrack − whether you like it or not, Natural Born Killers will have an impact on you.
4.5/5
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