Otis: I'd like to kill somebody. Henry: Say that again. Otis: I'd like to kill somebody. Henry: Let's me and you go for a ride, Otis.
The only real flaw in John McNaughton's bone-chilling and unflinching exploration into the mind of a serial killer, is the first half of the movie. The beginning half is slow-moving, consistently boring and the few scenes of violence are pretty cheesy. However after the first 45 minutes, the film takes a detour and starts to become more serious, deranged and realistic. The majority of the murders that happen in the film are shockingly unsettling and surprisingly realistic considering the film's measly $125,000 budget. The actors, who made up a small theater troupe in the area the movie was filmed at the time, are very good. Michael Rooker is nothing short of impressive in his brilliantly subtle and creepy embodiment of Henry, while Tom Towles is equally as creepy as the sleazy sh__t-heap accomplice to Henry. In the end, 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" leaves you feeling uneasy, confused and grossed-out -- exactly the way it should. Despite a major flaw, I recommend this to any horror buff seeing as though it's superior to most of the films in it's genre. Grade: B
The only real flaw in John McNaughton's bone-chilling and unflinching exploration into the mind of a serial killer, is the first half of the movie. The beginning half is slow-moving, consistently boring and the few scenes of violence are pretty cheesy. However after the first 45 minutes, the film takes a detour and starts to become more serious, deranged and realistic. The majority of the murders that happen in the film are shockingly unsettling and surprisingly realistic considering the film's measly $125,000 budget. The actors, who made up a small theater troupe in the area the movie was filmed at the time, are very good. Michael Rooker is nothing short of impressive in his brilliantly subtle and creepy embodiment of Henry, while Tom Towles is equally as creepy as the sleazy sh__t-heap accomplice to Henry. In the end, 'Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" leaves you feeling uneasy, confused and grossed-out -- exactly the way it should. Despite a major flaw, I recommend this to any horror buff seeing as though it's superior to most of the films in it's genre. Grade: B