The first time I knew he was a genius was when I saw Twelve Monkeys.
Twelve Monkeys has a unique plot. It's intelligent. However, when I think of TM I think of Jeffrey Goines. Man, Brad Pitt was awesome in that movie. Talking about it makes me want to watch it again.
But that's not my topic. A friend told me if I enjoyed Brad Pitt in Twelve Monkeys then I needed to see Kalifornia.
My friend has a stellar taste in movies so I put Kalifornia at the top of my To-See list. A few days ago I saw that it would be showing on Encore Mysteries. I set it to DVR and just finished watching.
Earlier today I read a blog from a favorite writer of mine, Dan Wells.
(Check out his debut novel "I Am Not A Serial Killer".)
Today he posted a blog entitled "Emotional Contrast". Click on the title and go check out the post or I'll some it up in these few words: Dan talks about art that causes you to feel two contrasting emotions at the same time. For example: A scene from a movie that provokes you to be happy and sad at the same moment. That's not something that's easy to do.
Kalifornia was not a movie that had a handful of scenes where I felt conflicted. From the moment Early Grayce is introduced to the moment he's no longer a part of the movie I was conflicted. There was something about him that I liked. I'm sitting here trying to pinpoint the reason that I liked him and not a single thing comes to mind. Brad Pitt portrayed Grayce in such a way that I just thought, I like this guy.
You find out early on that Earl has a secret that his acquaintances don't find out until later. Early is a serial killer. You never find out why Earl enjoys killing people, but he does. As the four main characters trip across the United States Grayce leaves a slew of bodies in their wake.
Even thought Earl (very) brutally people throughout the movie I still liked him, but I began to dislike him. It was strange. Early seemed like a guy it'd be cool to sit back, smoke a cigar, and drink a beer with. You could shoot the bull until sunset and not run out of things to talk about. Earl would have story after story to tell. Most would be exaggerated or out right lies but you wouldn't care. When Earl gets a little intoxicated he likes to stretch the truth, but he keeps you laughing.
However, he murders people. For fun. He takes their money and other valuables when he's done.
You're not supposed to like this kind of person.
You should want to smoke a 'gar with this person.
You shouldn't want to share a six pack with a serial killer.
But . . . he's a cool guy.
But . . . he murders people.
But . . .
But . . .
. . . It was fantastic art. I can't say that I'll ever watch Kalifornia ever again. It was not that type of movie. As Kalifornia progresses and moves towards its ending the intensity rises until it's hard to watch, and becomes tragic.
When the credits rolled for Kalifornia I was left feeling sad but still liking Early Grayce. I can't say that any movie has ever made me feel that way about a character. As a writer it's my goal to create antagonists like Early.
If you want to watch one of the best performances Brad Pitt has ever given. Check out Kalifornia. If you're a writer and want to watch a character that creates contrasting emotions. Watch Kalifornia. You may not feel the same way. If you don't. It's still a damn good movie and should be required watching.
Until next time,
Adios and via con dios.
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