[TexAveryWolf]

saw this at a preview lastnight....

The blackest comedy I've seen in years-excellent performances,superb photography and direction from deschanel and Friedkin.

McConaughey is a stone-cold revelation, a study in icy,deadly charm in a career-changer of a performance.

Be advised, it'sNOT for everyone,especially fried chicken lovers...

[Inkblot]

Yes, it's a very black comedy and at the preview I went to it looked like some people walked out. The young woman next to me spent a long time noisily eating nachos, then loudly said "I'm not watching this" and gathered her belongings and left. Impossible to explain why without giving spoilers -

Spoiler

it was when Joe told Dottie to put her hands down his trousers

- but many people stayed and laughed loudly throughout.

The main problem with the film is that the plot is terribly thin and the twist is very obvious, but then arguably it's not a plot-driven film. I've now found out that it's based on a stage play, and there are set pieces in the film (yes, the chicken!) which must have been truly jaw-dropping in the theatre. Unfortunately the pace is too slow towards the end because it's so easy to guess the outcome that there's no tension. Can't fault the acting, can't fault the writing, just think it must have lost something in the translation from stage to screen.

[bookaddict]

Not seen it yet, but I'd like to. I read an interview with Matthew McConaughey and he said that when he first read the script for the film, he said that he didn't want anything to do with it.

I'm not a big fan of going to the cinema, except for very occasionally, so might wait for it to come out for home viewing.

[Inkblot]

Originally Posted by bookaddict

I'm not a big fan of going to the cinema, except for very occasionally, so might wait for it to come out for home viewing.

It was worth being in the cinema to hear the audience's reactions to some of the scenes.

[bookaddict]

Originally Posted by Inkblot

It was worth being in the cinema to hear the audience's reactions to some of the scenes.

Ha Well that might tempt me then!

[JCR]

Originally Posted by TexAveryWolf

saw this at a preview lastnight....

The blackest comedy I've seen in years-excellent performances,superb photography and direction from deschanel and Friedkin.

McConaughey is a stone-cold revelation, a study in icy,deadly charm in a career-changer of a performance.

Be advised, it'sNOT for everyone,especially fried chicken lovers...

I thought it was hilarious, and I wanted fried chicken after.

[Moe's tavern]

This is a dreadful film.

Director Friedkin hasn't made a decent film since the early seventies, and Matthew McConaughey, well, has yet to make a decent film full stop.

It desperately tries to be quirky, but there's just nothing substantial to support it. It also has the kind of script where you think that it can't possibly be that transparent, only to find that it is.

It's a pity because McConaughey puts in a strong performance, as do Gina Gershon and Juno Temple.

Review here.

[Inkblot]

Originally Posted by Moe's tavern

Matthew McConaughey, well, has yet to make a decent film full stop.

The Lincoln Lawyer's a decent film.

[Ceza]

Going to see this Wednesday, have high expectations as it looks like my kind of film to a tee

[Rincewind78]

just back from seeing and quite enjoyed it.
Nor the best I have ever seen - but its still good.
Its the performances and characters that make this movie
The young girl who played Dottie and Matthew wahthisface where fantastic.
plus the other male leads - Thomas Haden Church and tóther guy, all fantastic.
would love to see the stage version

[Orangemaid]

oh i was thinging it was a horror film, with an axe saw machette being use for killer Joe to use on his victims

[Ella71110]

Myself and two friends went to see this last week-it obviously affects people different ways as i and one of the friends laughed loudly at some of the more cringy scenes my other friend wanted to walk out but didn't as she was sat between us-the scenes (especially the chicken scene) made her feel very uncomfy-weird film though-its a good job i have a monthly pass for Cineworld as i would of been p**d off spending nearly £9 on this film!

[MrSuper]

Didn't realise how disturbing or violent this movie was but this is one seriously deranged movie but for all the right reasons! Great acting, great writing and really enjoyed it, complete B-movie nonsense but contains very black humour and is very funny in places thanks to Thomas Haden Church. As for that scene i don't think i can look at Gina Gershon in the same way ever again!

McConaughey is great in this and plays the title character extremely well but the standout is Juno Temple who is fantastic as Dottie. Amazing actress! (also in the upcoming TDKR). And the way it ended? WTF!

Not for everyone but when it goes in, it goes in hard. Expect the unexpected!

Originally Posted by Inkblot

The Lincoln Lawyer's a decent film.

Agreed. Fantastic film.

[mgvsmith]

Originally Posted by Moe's tavern

Director Friedkin hasn't made a decent film since the early seventies, and Matthew McConaughey, well, has yet to make a decent film full stop.

We Are Marshall is a good movie with McConaughey in it.

[Faggy]

Saw this last night and must agree with the OP that Matthew McConaughey is a revelation. He has an aura of charming menace about him throughout the film - a superb performance.
Although he can't break all his old habits and does have a scene with no clothes on - Matthew loves getting his kit off.

The films roots as a stage play are pretty obvious throughout and the basic plot is nothing that hasn't been seen before but the performances of all the leads are what makes this film worth watching.

The violence may put some off as it is pretty full on at times. As for the chicken (or K Fry C as Gina puts it) - it was an odd, uncomfortable and intense scene but I didn't find it shocking. But as someone else has already said I'd imagine that seeing it live on stage would be a different matter.

[dee123]

Originally Posted by Inkblot

The Lincoln Lawyer's a decent film.

So's the very underrated Frailty.

[Tremse]

I really wanted to see this but my local Cineworld only has one showing per day starting at 9.15 p.m. - I'm afraid that's just too late for me with work the next morning.

[Ted Cunterblast]

Watched this a few nights ago.


Not sure if 'enjoy' is the right word, but I kind of liked it.


It's a fascinating character study, primarily of typical trailer park types and there is some very good acting on display. Mconnaghey is the stand out, but I was also really impressed with Thomas Haden Church. Pus Gina Gershon is called on to do some very strong scenes, and it's a very brave performance from her.


And about 2 thirds into the movie I suddently remembered I had actually seen this as a stage play...at the Vaudeville theatre in London back in 95, though I have little memory of it (saw a lot of plays back then, worked for a theatre agency).


But I looked it up, and discovered a certain Michael Shannon was in it, playing the Emile Hirsch role!

[DubDub]

i've also seen my step moms pussy

[Section9]

Originally Posted by Ted Cunterblast

And about 2 thirds into the movie I suddently remembered I had actually seen this as a stage play...at the Vaudeville theatre in London back in 95, though I have little memory of it (saw a lot of plays back then, worked for a theatre agency).


But I looked it up, and discovered a certain Michael Shannon was in it, playing the Emile Hirsch role!

Wow! Do you know what the name of the play was? Also (and I appreciate you said you had little memory of the play) do you recall what part of the film jogged you memory?

On a slight side note, my blu-ray of this arrived from amazon today and am looking forward to watching it later!

[Ted Cunterblast]

Originally Posted by Section9

Wow! Do you know what the name of the play was? Also (and I appreciate you said you had little memory of the play) do you recall what part of the film jogged you memory?

On a slight side note, my blu-ray of this arrived from amazon today and am looking forward to watching it later!

???

Err...it was called Killer Joe.

[dee123]

Originally Posted by Inkblot

The Lincoln Lawyer's a decent film.

What's wrong with Frailty or A Time To Kill?

[Section9]

Originally Posted by Ted Cunterblast

???

Err...it was called Killer Joe.

*facpalm* Sorry, my bad. The way I read your post I thought it may have called something different. My mistake.

[Virgil Tracy]

just saw this , pretty good , McConaghey is very good in it , as are they all , but one thing I don't get is :

Spoiler

why didn't Joe just blackmail the money out of Rex , since Rex was clearly in on it .

[rawr]

Just watched this and loved it. It was wonderfully ****ed up, and genuinely felt intense and unpredictable, whilst still being funny.

I don't usually like Matthew McConaughey, but he was pretty fantastic, as was the whole cast.