Noticed this on the shelf a few times, and finally got around to renting it. I knew Bob Crane was a freak, but damn.
Good movie, except that it dragged in the middle. Limited by the story it was telling, I guess. Just the same, the performances were good, especially Willem Dafoe as the creepy, and very needy, bad influence. And Kurt Fuller did an amazing Col. Klink. So close to the real Klemperer that the dream sequence in the middle was particularly surreal.
Greg Kinnear did a nice job as Crane, being likable on the surface, but seeming more shallow and self-interested as you get to know him. He almost seems like a victim of his own stupidity, justifying his actions and dismissing concerns while happily slipping further into his addiction, oblivious to what it's doing to him. Something that particularly impressed me was the way that Crane used the same approach to people throughout the movie, but very gradually, it went from likable to smarmy and creepy.
Very disturbing movie, yet fairly entertaining. Loved the recreation of Crane's appearance on Celebrity Cooks, complete with a pretty convincing Bruno Gerussi. Used to watch that show all the time as a kid, and never expected it to turn up in a movie. Laughed my ass off at that part.
Anybody else seen Auto Focus?
Yes I have also seen this and I totally agree with you about it being likeable at first then turning very dark & creepy.
I never liked Greg Kinnear until I saw his performance in this film.
After Auto Focus, I've taken a liking to his work.
He's actually a really good actor in most of the parts he plays.
Wasn't there a scene where they get into some kinky sex /orgy and someone sticks their finger in someone else's ass?
I forget.
Yeah, that movie did get kinda weird.
Post Edited (08-17-04 11:41)
Andy,
I saw this flick back in November. Here is what I had to say about it then:
"Caught this flick on Max On Demand last night, and it is a fantastic film.
The movie revolves around Robert Crane (Greg Kinnear), the title character from the 60's sitcom 'Hogans Heroes'. The film shows his slow rise to success and his rapid and disturbing fall into pornography and debauchery.
While on the set of Hogan's Heroes, he meets a man named John Carpenter (Willem Dafoe). Carpenter is an A/V wizard and is also a swinger. He gets Crane hooked on the idea of the first video camera, and they then use it to video tape orgies at Carpenter's home. This leads Crane into a world of homemade pornography and to an unhealthy relationship with Carpenter.
*Spoilers Ahead-If you don't know anything about Bob Crane that is*
The film of course concludes with the murder of Crane in an Arizona hotel room. It is pretty much laid out here that Carpenter kills Crane, eventhough to my knowledge the case is still "unsolved".
*End Spoilers*
Overall, this is an amazing film. The subject matter is handled very well. Eventhough the film is about pornography and there is quite a bit nudity throughout, there is nothing truly graphic about the film. Kinnear gives a great performance as always, and his portrial of Crane is actually quite creepy. He looks just like the man!
Dafoe also is fantastic as the strange pervert who is in love with Crane. I have yet to see a film where Dafoe did not give an absolutely stunning performance.
Overall, if you have Cinemax, wait for it to come on and watch it. If you don't have Max, go out and rent this one."
Great film.
ASHTHECAT wrote:
> Wasn't there a scene where they get into some kinky sex /orgy
> and someone sticks their finger in someone else's ass?
> I forget.
Yeah, they were watching the tape, and Crane spotted Carpy's hand on his ass, leading to a temporary interruption of their friendship. The scene that really creeped me out was when Carpenter popped in while Bob was looking over one of his tapes, and the two just sat there on the couch, beating off (just out of view) while carrying on a casual conversation about the tape they were watching. Yeesh, that was weird. Just whipped 'em out like it was nothing at all.
Seen it and liked. Kinnear and Dafoe were brilliant, and damm that was a creepy film. But of course, that's the type of thing to expect when you rent a Paul Schrader film. Check "Light Sleeper" if you haven't, it's my favourite Schrader film to date, even above "Affliction" or "Hardcore".
A very good movie - though kind of like watching a train wreck. I especially lied the direction and how at the beginning the lighting was bright in every scene, the colors were mainly bright and pastel, the edits were crisp and the camera was steady as a rock. Then, as Crane's descent begins and his life spins out of control we move to hakier and shakier camera work, dark sets with lots of earth tones and choppy editing. Brilliant.
I highly recommend renting the DVD for the documentary Murder in Scotsdale.
Eirik,
I'm with you on the directing. One of the scenes that stands out in my mind is the scene where he is talking to his son in the car towards the end of the film. By then his insanity is at a peak, and the camera is moving from left to right....staggering almost. Amazing scene.