The Killer Inside Me is a great movie faithfully adapted from the book of the same name written by Jim Thompson in 1952. Jim Thompson was a pulp fiction writer who became well known only after his death. Other titles you might recognize are The Grifters and The Getaway.
This is great noir. I just finished the book not long ago, so it was fresh in my mind. Many reviewers and the kid at Blockbuster described this movie as "intense" or incredibly violent. I think the kid at BB was trying to warn me? Anyway, the book is more intense than the movie. I was not shocked by anything in the film - probably because I had just read the book and was expecting it all - and the movie actually cleared up a couple of things for me. I like that.
If you haven't read the book, be aware that there are scenes of extreme violence against women. This is not normal in film - it's a taboo - and the intent of the book and the movie is to see things as Lou Ford does - to live in Lou's head. Casey Affleck does a great job. Kate Hudson is perfect, but Jessica Alba is way too sweet for her role.
The costumes and sets are perfect - a real joy. And the music - whoever put this soundtrack together really did a great job. It is not somber and scary - quite the contrary. And the outward face of Lou matches this soundtrack very well.
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