8mm
Andrew Kevin Walker was responsible for what was arguably one of the most disturbing films of our time: the darkly entrancing "Seven," starring Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey. What was most remarkable about that movie was its chilling insight into the most remote depths of human insanity and moral depravity. The fact that Walker's latest script focuses on one man's journey into similar territory after discovering what appears to be a genuine snuff film made it seem likely that "8mm" would take the viewer on an equally dark ride into the most disturbing realms of the human psyche.
This, unfortunately, is not the case. While the film works well as your average suspense-thriller, it fails to strike the dissonant chords so well resounded by films like "Seven" and "Silence of the Lambs." Yes, the subject matter is sickening, but too often it becomes apparent that we realize this more because we're told to by the characters' overly-simplified reactions and behavior than because genuine emotion is actually evoked.
- doug levy
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