Kalifornia

Dir: Dominic Sena

1993

***

I have to say I thought Dominic Sena thriller debut was one of the best quieter films of 1993. There were lots of interesting films released without much hype around then that were really good but somehow always ended up in the bargain bin of Blockbuster video. Sena followed it with the Gone in 60 Seconds remake, Swordfish, Whiteout and Season of the Witch, so it might have been down to beginner's luck, but in all seriousness, I thought Kalifornia was a quality road movie. Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis and David Duchovny were hot property in the early 90s and newcomer Michelle Forbes had impressed with mainstream television appearances, including a regular supporting role in Star Trek: The Next Generation. To have all four of them together was something of a coup in 1993 and the dynamic between them worked really well. Their casting was ahead of the game somewhat and considering that the infamous Natural Born Killers was released the year after, so was the theme. David Duchovny played Brian Kessler, a graduate student of psychology as well as a journalist. He has recently written an article about serial killers  which has drawn interest from a publisher who has offered him a book deal. After the book deal advance is spent, Brian realizes that he needs to start working on finishing his book. His photographer girlfriend Carrie Laughlin (played by Michelle Forbes), persuades him to move to California, and they decide to drive from Louisville, Kentucky to California and visit infamous murder sites along the way for inspiration. Short on funds, Brian posts a ride-share ad. Meanwhile, psychopathic parolee Early Grayce (Brad Pitt) has just lost his job. His parole officer learns of this and comes to the trailer park where Early lives with his young girlfriend Adele Corners (Juliette Lewis). Early refuses the officer's offer of a job as a college janitor, saying he wants to leave the state. After pressure from the officer and a further altercation, Early becomes violent and spins out in his car, chasing a man across the local park. Early sees the ride-share ad at the college and calls Brian, who agrees to meet him the following day. Early sends Adele ahead, then murders his landlord before joining Adele to wait for Brian and Carrie. Carrie's first response to seeing the rough-looking couple is to suggest Brian keep driving, but Brian asks her to give the plan a chance, and she reluctantly agrees. On the road, unbeknownst to his companions, Early murders a man in a gas station bathroom and steals his money. When they arrive at the first hotel, Early becomes even more creepy to the couple when he cuts Adele's long hair shorter, to try to match Carrie's. Carrie trims Adele's hair in a less brutal 'bob-cut' and Adele paints Carrie's toenails. Adele explains that her mother did not approve of her relationship, because Early had just been released from prison. Adele reveals to Carrie that she is a rape victim and that she views Early as her protector, even though he has beaten her. While Carrie and Adele are drinking beer, Adele also admits to Carrie that Early forbids her to smoke or drink, causing Carrie to become protective of her but also fearful of him. At a local bar, Brian is confronted by another man at the pool table, and Early steps in, assaulting him. Later on in the road-trip Early introduces Brian to pistol shooting in a remote, unnamed location and while Brian is cautious of him, he begins to like Early’s company. Carrie is alarmed by Brian's growing fascination with Early and Brian's nonchalant response to the news that Early has been in prison. After catching Early and Adele having sex in Brian's car, she gives him an ultimatum: either they rid themselves of the pair, or she will leave. At the next gas station, Carrie glimpses a newscast with footage of Early and the announcement he is a suspected murderer. Early kills the gas station attendant in front of Carrie and continues the trip with the couple as hostages. They encounter two police officers, whom Early shoots and kills. They next come to the home of an elderly couple. Early beats the man to death, but Adele allows the woman to flee. As Early rushes to find the woman, Adele confronts him and says she wants nothing more to do with him. Early fatally shoots Adele, strikes Brian on the head, and kidnaps Carrie. Brian regains consciousness, and the elderly woman gives him the keys to her truck. Brian arrives at an abandoned nuclear testing site and surprises Early, hitting him in the face with a shovel. Brian finds Carrie bloodied and handcuffed to a bed, having been sexually assaulted. Early, who was only stunned, attacks Brian and they struggle until Early is hit over the head by Carrie. When Early continues the attack, Brian shoots and kills him. Some time later, Brian and Carrie are living in a California beach house. Carrie tells Brian that a gallery is interested in her art, and he suggests they go out to celebrate. The pair leave, although Brian's tape recorder continues running to reveal a "thank you" from Adele. The original script was meant to comment on the national obsession with 'true crime' stories but in truth it’s a classic thriller story with a contemporary setting. The film isn’t scared to challenge its audience and certain scenes are tough to watch, especially as the cast take on their roles with obvious relish. Tim Metcalfe’s original script was more of a black comedy – which I would have liked to have seen – but due to disagreements Metcalfe was fired from the project and the film became a violent thriller. There is little unique about it now but it did beat many other films of the genre to it and I believe it is still one of the better ones. It’s not perfect but I think the clear lack of budget gives the film a certain charm and believability. Watching it in 1993 and watching it now when the actors are all proper a-listers are two different experiences but I would argue that it still holds up. It’s a bit of classic early 90s for you, not perfect, but it has that certain je ne sais quoi.