I have to admit, I've long been hesitant to watch "Evilenko". For one, I rather liked "Citizen X", thinking that very little could be added to the horrid story of Russian serial-killer Andrei Chikatilo. Another factor was that over the past few years we had gotten some very rotten acting by Malcolm McDowell (to mention only the tepid "Halloween"-Remake(s)), which made me believe that the old man had lost the last of his abilities.
"Evilenko" proved me wrong on both counts.
Rather than being another retelling of "The Ripper of Rostov" (like I had come to expect), the story of "Evilenko" is actually only loosely based on the Chikatilo-case.
Let's make that clear: McDowell plays a character that, in my opinion, counts amongst the most despicable, repulsive in cinema-history. A dirty old man out of the text-book from hell, without any redeeming qualities. Yet, through the sheer power of McDowells performance, the viewer cannot help but keep his eyes clued to the character of Evilenko – and worst, we're being sucked right into his mind, trying to analyze it, whether we want it or not. Nor does the actor allow us to perceive the character as a pure fiend or monster; he stays human though-out (despite the beast of a human) and that may well be the worst and most brilliant nuance of McDowells play.
You may have noticed that this review mainly speaks about the actor McDowell. It could (and even should) be mentioned that the cinematography is splendid, the soundtrack compelling, fitting, the atmosphere is possibly darker and gloomier than "Citizen X", even. That and the actors (including the child-actors) to a large extent are excellent. But in essence the film is carried by Malcolm McDowell and thinking about the many negative reviews I've written about the actor in recent years; well they may not have been incorrect and won't apologize. McDowell has performed rather half a**sed in many inferior pictures, but I was definitely wrong with one thing: he still is a great actor, very well among the most powerful of his generation and I truly would have to pull my hat off, if I was wearing one.
Not to call it a perfect movie, it definitely got it's weaknesses – loosing a little steam after the first half, the character which Ronald Pickup is slightly wasted, the revelation about Evilenkos father seems nothing but unnecessary and whether there was a need of Evilenkos "symbolic" powers of hypnotism remains questionable.
Not withstanding, it's an excellent film, this much I can guarantee – however, I cannot guarantee that you will like it, be comfortable with it or feel better after having seen it. A horrible film, in the most positive of terms.
7/10
"Evilenko" proved me wrong on both counts.
Rather than being another retelling of "The Ripper of Rostov" (like I had come to expect), the story of "Evilenko" is actually only loosely based on the Chikatilo-case.
Let's make that clear: McDowell plays a character that, in my opinion, counts amongst the most despicable, repulsive in cinema-history. A dirty old man out of the text-book from hell, without any redeeming qualities. Yet, through the sheer power of McDowells performance, the viewer cannot help but keep his eyes clued to the character of Evilenko – and worst, we're being sucked right into his mind, trying to analyze it, whether we want it or not. Nor does the actor allow us to perceive the character as a pure fiend or monster; he stays human though-out (despite the beast of a human) and that may well be the worst and most brilliant nuance of McDowells play.
You may have noticed that this review mainly speaks about the actor McDowell. It could (and even should) be mentioned that the cinematography is splendid, the soundtrack compelling, fitting, the atmosphere is possibly darker and gloomier than "Citizen X", even. That and the actors (including the child-actors) to a large extent are excellent. But in essence the film is carried by Malcolm McDowell and thinking about the many negative reviews I've written about the actor in recent years; well they may not have been incorrect and won't apologize. McDowell has performed rather half a**sed in many inferior pictures, but I was definitely wrong with one thing: he still is a great actor, very well among the most powerful of his generation and I truly would have to pull my hat off, if I was wearing one.
Not to call it a perfect movie, it definitely got it's weaknesses – loosing a little steam after the first half, the character which Ronald Pickup is slightly wasted, the revelation about Evilenkos father seems nothing but unnecessary and whether there was a need of Evilenkos "symbolic" powers of hypnotism remains questionable.
Not withstanding, it's an excellent film, this much I can guarantee – however, I cannot guarantee that you will like it, be comfortable with it or feel better after having seen it. A horrible film, in the most positive of terms.
7/10