Reviews

This was a real, late- night, Netflix desperation surprise. It's clever and funny and the writer/ director/ lead is perfect in all ways- how many have watched this and said I know a guy like that ( except for the serial killer thing)? I enjoyed the sly and not- so- sly pop cultural references, which included a Louis Armstrong masterpiece, a riff on the family dynasty that produced James Bond films, and so much else. The supporting actors were great- the women were attractive and seemed natural and Malcolm's sidekick male friends were funny at times. It is in no way a horror movie- not at all fair to call it that- but more of an American Psycho- style black comedy/ social satire and it hits the mark nearly as often as that movie did. It even (sort of) covers one of many a New Yorker's favorite topics lately- that of European jerks taking over. The director cast himself perfectly and he is funny just to look at, and hearing him spout his nonsense is even funnier. What perhaps keeps "Random" from being too heavy handed is the sense the director gives you that he identifies with the characters Malcolm hates and wants to get rid of, and so he is making fun of himself as much as anyone else. Well done; no expectations going in and nothing but yuks and admiration after it ended. The "8" is high but it is in context of what he set out to do, how much he had to spend, how much I laughed, etc... wait so maybe that really does make it an 8! OK, 7 and a half and great job by all involved.

The opening moments of this movie are extremely well done, and the moment of grace at the ending was surprisingly well- earned . Surprising because what comes in the middle is at once unformed, lumpy, and all too obvious- albeit with some very fine acting. It was said elsewhere by some commentators that fine performances were given by the actors who played the serial killer and the senior detective who takes a liking to the rural cop because he sees the good in him: this is true. The emotional bond between the senior detective and the younger country cop he called 'Farmer" was well portrayed, indeed.

Unfortunately, the fine beginning and ending and the fine performances- oh, and also the scenes set in the small village, which were atmospheric- bookended a story that was sloppily told. The payoff at the end comes in spite of, and not because of the bulk of the film. But that payoff was, for me, affecting. I was on the edge of my seat, hoping for all the "right" (this is after all a film which commits itself to a belief in right and wrong) things to happen. Definitely a movie worth watching, and dare I hope that it can be improved upon (probably not, OK) when it is remade...