Sunday, July 21, 2013

Inspiration: Natural Born Killers (1994)


Forgive me if I tend to glamourize, romanticize and/or glorify violence but Natural Born Killers is one of the best films I've ever seen. Lovers, outcasts, and serial killers: Mickey and Mallory Knox are the coolest American psychopaths (sorry, Patrick Bateman!) ever portrayed by the film industry. This hypnotic and controversial movie has to be one of the best of the 90's, with its satirical purpose to showcase America's fascination with violence. It's beyond chaotic, wild and insane!

Glorified by the media, the twisted pair become legendary folk heroes; their story told by the single person they leave alive at the scene of each of their slaughters. Their vicious crime spree across the country had made them into media superstars.

Armed and dangerous, Mickey and Mallory (Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis in ultra-convincing roles - needless to say, the acting is great!) begin their sickly macabre and epic journey down Route 666 after falling in love with each other and killing her abusive father and neglectful mother. They both experienced traumatic childhoods and are now rampaging America on a killing spree. Their MO: attacking people and always leaving one person alive to tell the tale. They hit the road and soon become a media sensation thanks to the TV Show American Maniac, hosted by Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr. with a British accent!).

As you know, I have a penchant for films that depict runaway lovers with a sadistic streak (Lonely HeartsBadlandsBonnie & Clyde). Combining the brilliant early writing skills of Tarantino, Oliver Stone's addiction to violence and all the cast performances, Natural Born Killers is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it flick. Unflichingly violent and graphic, with an intense (to say the least!) cinematography, this movie is not for the faint of heart and the weak of stomach. Let's just say this is a film to die for - literally. Last but not least, the soundtrack is awesomely, insanely cool.

Oh, and trust me in this one: when sexually harassed by a disrespectful man, just react like Mallory Knox in the diner scene.

4 comments:

  1. This and "True Romance" (another movie that I adore) were both written by Quentin Tarantino and were originally meant to be a really long two part epic

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  2. This is my Quentin Tarantino movie marathon weekend NEED TO PUT IT ON MY LIST


    http://wastelandsofwisdom.blogspot.co.nz/

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