I think it is safe to say if you are looking for an accurate depiction of Andrei Chikatilo then this film is not for you. Although if you're going to moan about it, the fact they changed his name and made that the film title might have been a bit of a clue and you don't really have a case. It's not intending to be an accurate representation and they have been pretty clear.
Some of the characterisations are not particularly thorough. I wish they had done more with Ronald Pickup, as his character could have been used to create more life to Marton Csokas' character. It was also a shame to see so little of Frances Barber.
There is actually lot wrong with this film technically. Some of the voice dubbing grated particularly with me. I often found myself occasionally distracted by some technical element of the production that highlighted the fact this film was not on a blockbuster budget.
On the plus side, I do think the subject was handled with exceptional taste. As a film about a prolific serial killer, it didn't become overly graphic.
They do make use of a plot device which didn't feel particularly right when introduced, but it is then employed to great effect later on. At least it's not a clumsy device that is mentioned and it's clear it will be important later on, it's just something that become intrinsic to the main character without any real explanation.
There is also a very nice detail to unsettle the viewer which they may have been tempted to make more of, but the exercised great restraint in keeping its involvement minimal to achieve the best effect.
If I was going to rate this film objectively, I'd probably give it 6/10. It's not really bad, but there was just some elements that let it down.
That said, Malcolm McDowell is incredible in the main role. By the end of the film I found myself mesmerised by his whole persona whenever he came on screen. Throughout he manages to portray Evilenko as someone wholly believable and yet wholly creepy. Someone who struggles daily to fit in with the world and who has developed various mechanisms to act normal in it.
I really enjoyed this film. I understand why people have given it 9s and 10s. It was a great ride watching this absorbing character navigate around the authorities. You want him to get caught, but he is just a bit too clever or lucky for it to happen straight away. If I was going to give this film a rating purely subjectively, I think I might have been a little bit generous and given it a 10/10.
So splitting the difference, I've given it an 8.
If you haven't seen Citizen X, or you're the kind of person who can watch both on the same subject and appreciate the fact they are just films.
*and*
If you haven't read so much about Andrei Chikatilo that you're going to sit drawing comparisons.
Then I would definitely recommend watching this. In my opinion it's worth watching for Malcolm McDowell's performance alone.
Some of the characterisations are not particularly thorough. I wish they had done more with Ronald Pickup, as his character could have been used to create more life to Marton Csokas' character. It was also a shame to see so little of Frances Barber.
There is actually lot wrong with this film technically. Some of the voice dubbing grated particularly with me. I often found myself occasionally distracted by some technical element of the production that highlighted the fact this film was not on a blockbuster budget.
On the plus side, I do think the subject was handled with exceptional taste. As a film about a prolific serial killer, it didn't become overly graphic.
They do make use of a plot device which didn't feel particularly right when introduced, but it is then employed to great effect later on. At least it's not a clumsy device that is mentioned and it's clear it will be important later on, it's just something that become intrinsic to the main character without any real explanation.
There is also a very nice detail to unsettle the viewer which they may have been tempted to make more of, but the exercised great restraint in keeping its involvement minimal to achieve the best effect.
If I was going to rate this film objectively, I'd probably give it 6/10. It's not really bad, but there was just some elements that let it down.
That said, Malcolm McDowell is incredible in the main role. By the end of the film I found myself mesmerised by his whole persona whenever he came on screen. Throughout he manages to portray Evilenko as someone wholly believable and yet wholly creepy. Someone who struggles daily to fit in with the world and who has developed various mechanisms to act normal in it.
I really enjoyed this film. I understand why people have given it 9s and 10s. It was a great ride watching this absorbing character navigate around the authorities. You want him to get caught, but he is just a bit too clever or lucky for it to happen straight away. If I was going to give this film a rating purely subjectively, I think I might have been a little bit generous and given it a 10/10.
So splitting the difference, I've given it an 8.
If you haven't seen Citizen X, or you're the kind of person who can watch both on the same subject and appreciate the fact they are just films.
*and*
If you haven't read so much about Andrei Chikatilo that you're going to sit drawing comparisons.
Then I would definitely recommend watching this. In my opinion it's worth watching for Malcolm McDowell's performance alone.