Punner Joel (that would be me) is going to scribe a review of the independent movie "Killer Joe". It won't kill you to read it, or maybe it will if you are into eradicating puns from your vocabulary. Nevertheless, here it goes. "Killer Joe" is probably the most off-kilter movie you will see all year. It includes profoundly despicable characters. You will not root for any of the characters in the film to succeed; at least I didn't. It gets extremely outlandish at times. So am I informing you to kill this movie from your "to see" list? Not at all. I feel a bit cinematically ashamed (whatever that means) in stating this- I loved this movie! Its bravado pulsated the film to beats of quirkiness that were fun to watch, as long as you are aware that it's just a movie. "Killer Joe" stars Matthew McConaughey as Joe Cooper, a Texas detective who moonlights as a contract killer. Emile Hirsch co- stars as Chris Smith, a small-time drug dealer who is in a heap of trouble due to circumstances that have him owning $6,000 to a local drug mobster. Chris, who immensely despises his mother, decides to contract Joe for his killer services in order for Joe to murder Chris' mother so Chris could have a share of the $50,000 insurance money set for the primary beneficiary; who would be Chris' younger sister Dottie. Chris' obtuse father Ansel buys into the plan along with Ansel's wife Charlotte; who let's say its not such a Good Charlotte. For his services, Joe requests $25,000 upfront cash. When Chris and Ansel could not provide that, Joe decides that the only way he will take the job if he could have a retainer in substituting for the upfront payment. And that retainer happens to be the innocent but disturbed Dottie; who is young enough to probably still wear retainers. Where all of this leads to could only be experienced by taking it all in a "Killer Joe" viewing. Director William Friedkin does get a bit fried in several of the film's scenes; especially a chicken bone scene with Joe and Charlotte that make no bones about it has probably Colonel Sanders turning in his grave. Friedkin's daring directorial effort had a bizarre but effective connection. Letts get serious! Why? Because Tracy Letts adapted the film's screenplay from his own "Killer Joe" play, and Letts us know of his wild imagination. McConaughey's starring performance was masterful, along with his strong supporting work in "Magic Mike" & "Bernie, Matthew has demonstrated that he has been able to branch out from his typecast romantic-comedy character entrapment. Hirsch held his own in his work as Chris, even though there was bit of exaggeration incorporated in his performance. Thomas Haden Church was adequate as Ansel, even though his performance seemed extremely similar to his Lowell character in the TV series "Wings"; so I guess he winged it through. Gina Gershon was excellent in her work as Charlotte, and this performance can propel her back to showier roles; and I am not talking about a "Showgirl" comeback either. Juno Temple is not yet in the temple of top tier young actresses, but she demonstrated proficiency in her portrayal of Dottie. Be warned, "Killer Joe" is for an acquired taste; and many will extinguish it at midpoint or even sooner. But love it or hate it, one cannot deny it's stroke of audacity that won't kill you to acknowledge. ***** Excellent
Review of Killer Joe
