I really enjoy Alex Gibney's works and came into this with high hopes. He's really good and does have a commanding voice and his usage of stock is inspiring to aspiring filmmakers such as I.
The subject of much of the film is interesting and it is good to see Dorothy's work as that alone is objective... in the sense of assessing determining factors that results in the downward spiral of many of her subjects.
The film touches (touches) on opposing opinions and fleshes out the criminal justice system of the United States and how it deals with areas as complex as this.
The matter is well-formed and uses all of the usual norms one would expect to see in a film of this ilk. But it only serves it's own purposes and there are times you will (as I did), mentally say "AAaaalright, yeah!" with a tilt of the head...
It's interesting that last week I watched the awful, but entertaining film 'Copycat' with Sigourney Weaver. I can't help but feel as though Copycat was somehow inspired by the core subject of this film.
But forget left or right wing politics for a second and try to ignore the personalities in this film and what you're left with is a series of monologues from murderers who are more like characters in a fictional film, a film that is a pastiche of others that came before it.
On a personal note, these "men" may well be the product of shattered nurturing... But if they have all been manipulated by the parental/love figures in their lives, they're going to use that manipulation, especially if they're given a stage and somewhat given a lifeline. As black and white as that seems, it's important to remember that Psychology is a business like any other, and required a self-sustaining income like any other business. There were a number of statements within this film that are just plain subjective - things like "The Death Penalty isn't a deterrent", how can you quantify such a statement from such a narrow, narrow sample of people?
This is a bit of a miss for me and if you're reading this review in order to quantify whether this is worth your time... Well, yes, it may well be, but never forget that whatever situation many of the characters are in, at the end of the day, they still have to pay their bills and buy MORE PIES, MORE PIES, MORE PIES... (If you do watch it, 'More PIES' is the crux of the film and by far the most entertaining trifle in this film)
BUT! I've seen enough bad acting (and done some) in my time to know when someone is performing. I suspect in her heart of hearts, she may have suspected as much from moon fringe - but what the hell, it'll make good TV some day. That is not to mock her work, but if you look closely, I swear you can see Dorothy's head tilt to one side in what I can only imagine to be projected embarrassment on behalf of the subject.
There's a phenomenon called 100/1000 monkey syndrome. And we as humans are made to imitate and copy. There was a statement that made me think which went something like 'Serial Killers or murders are not made'. And this statement goes against a notion I've had clinking around in my brain for a good while now. But for me, this statement is not a far cry from the 'talent delusion' - there's no such thing as 'talent', it's all about practice, time and will to do what the next person won't.
I just wonder if Dorothy ever asked her subjects if they thought they were talented or not, and if so, what in. Because I could point her in any direction of 'talented' actors who could play the role of a man who thinks he can get away with murder. Only, some can do it with their eyes open and finite direction, whilst others will close their eyes and go with the flow and thrive on the 'cop in the head'.
Watch for insight - but you might not get the insight you first assumed or hoped for. Plus, Dorothy, with respect, is batty a psychic aunt and this film does make you want to explore her world from her own point of view.
Good luck.
