Karla -A Review-
Okay I realize the last two weren't very articulate but I was starting to get frustrated with the crap I was seeing. But this time I have a few more words.
I just watched Karla, a thriller based on the case of the so-called Ken and Barbie Killers Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. Paul was revealed to be the Scarborough Rapist, having raped and terrorized countless young women, and along with Karla raped and murdered at least three teenage girls, one of whom was Karla's younger sister Tammy.
The case was brutal and disturbing not least because the rapes themselves were videotaped and shown to the jury during trial. Official word is that the videotapes have since been destroyed, but author Stephen Williams' compelling book Invisible Darkness contains several passages describing the contents of the videos which landed him in hot water with the authorities.
And then there's the extra creep factor of the crimes having been committed in a small, friendly town just south of Toronto and within earshot of the tourist-heavy Niagara Falls.
The film Karla is told in a series of flashbacks by Karla, (Laura Prepon) as she is evaluated for possible parole by her psychiatrist, Dr. Arnold (Patrick Bauchau). Written and directed by Joel Bender we learn how Karla met, fell in love with and finally married the man whom even before they were engaged she was aware was a rapist. Paul Bernardo (Misha Collins) is depicted as a soulless Sociopath, prone to violent mood-swings and manipulation. As played by Collins Bernard is convincing if a little wimpy for someone so violent. He rarely raises his voice, even while trying to convince his victims to participate in the most heinous acts. I don't know if Collins was going for a Hannibal Lecter-esque characterization, but Lecter is fiction; Bernardo is a real man. And Collins, though he does a good job here, is no Anthony Hopkins.
Karla as played by Prepon is 1-part psychopath, 1-part victim. Ultimately though Bender seems to favour Homolka's version of events for his story. Sure, she drugged, raped and killed her baby sister, and she was present for the kidnapping, torture, murder and disposal of at least two others, but it was Paul's fault. She only played along. If it was good enough for the courts, it seems good enough for Bender.
There's one significant difference however. When Karla was busy convincing the Crown she was as much a victim of Bernardo as the others, noone knew about the videotapes which detailed her considerable -and according to several jurors, enthusiastic- involvement. Bender had the luxury of knowing this and still chose to write his script painting Homolka with a very broad, sympathetic brush. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's only Prepon's layered and subtle performance that saves this from being an R-rated movie of the week. Barely. But she gets her props.
All in all I'd say I was mostly fascinated by this, but I think thats owed considerably to the fact that this happened in my own backyard, and also to the timing of the film's release which coincided with the real Homolka's release from prison.
If you're into true crime I'd give this one a chance, but I think it's specialized 'appeal' would explain it's extremely limited release more than would it's actual quality.
Look for it on DVD in early April, 2007.
I just watched Karla, a thriller based on the case of the so-called Ken and Barbie Killers Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. Paul was revealed to be the Scarborough Rapist, having raped and terrorized countless young women, and along with Karla raped and murdered at least three teenage girls, one of whom was Karla's younger sister Tammy.
The case was brutal and disturbing not least because the rapes themselves were videotaped and shown to the jury during trial. Official word is that the videotapes have since been destroyed, but author Stephen Williams' compelling book Invisible Darkness contains several passages describing the contents of the videos which landed him in hot water with the authorities.
And then there's the extra creep factor of the crimes having been committed in a small, friendly town just south of Toronto and within earshot of the tourist-heavy Niagara Falls.
The film Karla is told in a series of flashbacks by Karla, (Laura Prepon) as she is evaluated for possible parole by her psychiatrist, Dr. Arnold (Patrick Bauchau). Written and directed by Joel Bender we learn how Karla met, fell in love with and finally married the man whom even before they were engaged she was aware was a rapist. Paul Bernardo (Misha Collins) is depicted as a soulless Sociopath, prone to violent mood-swings and manipulation. As played by Collins Bernard is convincing if a little wimpy for someone so violent. He rarely raises his voice, even while trying to convince his victims to participate in the most heinous acts. I don't know if Collins was going for a Hannibal Lecter-esque characterization, but Lecter is fiction; Bernardo is a real man. And Collins, though he does a good job here, is no Anthony Hopkins.
Karla as played by Prepon is 1-part psychopath, 1-part victim. Ultimately though Bender seems to favour Homolka's version of events for his story. Sure, she drugged, raped and killed her baby sister, and she was present for the kidnapping, torture, murder and disposal of at least two others, but it was Paul's fault. She only played along. If it was good enough for the courts, it seems good enough for Bender.
There's one significant difference however. When Karla was busy convincing the Crown she was as much a victim of Bernardo as the others, noone knew about the videotapes which detailed her considerable -and according to several jurors, enthusiastic- involvement. Bender had the luxury of knowing this and still chose to write his script painting Homolka with a very broad, sympathetic brush. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's only Prepon's layered and subtle performance that saves this from being an R-rated movie of the week. Barely. But she gets her props.
All in all I'd say I was mostly fascinated by this, but I think thats owed considerably to the fact that this happened in my own backyard, and also to the timing of the film's release which coincided with the real Homolka's release from prison.
If you're into true crime I'd give this one a chance, but I think it's specialized 'appeal' would explain it's extremely limited release more than would it's actual quality.
Look for it on DVD in early April, 2007.
posted by johnnykocktail at 10:53 pm
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