Kalifornia (1993)

Going to California with a Killer
I didn't really believe Brad Pitt could be convincing as the repulsive low life serial killer Early. I also didn't believe Juliette Lewis could create a sympathetic character out of his apparently developmentally disabled girlfriend Adele. Yet both Pitt and Lewis stunned me with their realistic portrayals. Unfortunately the film is not credible because it does not seem plausible that grad student/writer/aspiring serial killer expert Brian (played by David Duchovney) and his tough girlfriend who takes "not ready for the Bible Belt" photographs would be either desperate or stupid enough to agree to drive Pitt and Lewis's very seedy looking characters in their car several thousand miles to the promised land of California just for some help with the gas money. This cross country trip is made even longer by several planned stops to infamous murder sites Brian and Carrie need to make for research for a book they are planning and that plot point does nothing to enhance the believability of this film. Although the film does evoke a nightmarish feel as it progresses and Pitt and Lewis's performances are very good the movie does not really rise above the level of mediocre thriller. And as one would expect in a road movie with a serial killer there is a lot of graphic violence and other images that do not make this a good choice for the squeamish.

Intriguing Story w/Great Acting
Brad Pitt has none of the "pretty boy" thing working in this disturbing little flick. He plays an creepy sociopath so well, that you forget it's him - he is totally transformed. Juliette Lewis does a great job as his big-hearted girlfriend. Mesmerizing for those drawn to the Tarantino & Rodriguez style of dark humor & violence.

Intriguing Story w/Great Acting
Brad Pitt has none of the "pretty boy" thing working in this disturbing little flick. He plays an creepy sociopath so well, that you forget it's him - he is totally transformed. Juliette Lewis does a great job as his big-hearted girlfriend. Mesmerizing for those drawn to the Tarantino & Rodriguez style of dark humor & violence.