On I List of Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)


In Cold Blood (1967)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 5/12, 1/15

InCB
5/12: These two killers in In Cold Blood ain't so bright, are they?

It may have been a revolutionary film back then, but today, it's passable. The heavy-handed need to explain their shortcomings is too much for me. It should've been "it is what it is" because they were criminals. Aesthetically, the photography is outstanding; it's shot very well for a black-and-white picture.

All in all, someday I'll read In Cold Blood and watch it again.

1/15: Having recently read Truman Capote's book, I've decided to take a look at Richard Brooks' In Cold Blood one more time to see how the film compares.

It's more or less a faithful adaptation without too much divergence from the truth. The first thirty minutes is beautifully shot, especially in black and white. Right after the two would-be killers pull up to Clutter's house, the momentum dies. Then, the pace becomes uneven, going back and forth between the two losers and the investigation.

Once in a while, the ill-advised reporter (who's a stand-in for Truman Capote) hangs around the scene like a vulture and comes up with a bunch of psychobabble stuff to explain away the killers' motives in order to be sympathetic as possible. It's annoying and a major insult to the victims. Finally, the description of the murders as shown is what completes the book for me.

I love the performances by Scott Wilson (who would've made a great substitute for Benoît Poelvoorde in C'est arrivé près de chez vous aka Man Bites Dog) and Robert Blake (who has his moments); they're both fantastic, perfectly capturing the spirit of their characters.

My favorite scene is when Perry tells a story about his father as the rain is falling against the window next to him; it's almost as if he's crying. Hence, it's unbelievable how the light through the window projected the raindrops on his face. Unfortunately, a lot of potential has been left on the table because both characters are underdeveloped and don't get much of screen time. I put the blame squarely on Richard Brooks for his less-than-stellar direction.

Meanwhile, it's nice to know the filming took place at authentic locations including Clutter's house and the courtroom where the two men were tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death; it definitely gives the feel of being there.

All in all, if I have to choose, the filmed version of In Cold Blood is better than the book because it's shorter with less drag.