Mild-mannered serial killer Owen Wilson (as Vann Siegert) drives his truck around, and kills an asthmatic junkie played by Sheryl Crow; then, he rents a small town room from Brian Cox and Mercedes Ruehl (as Doug and Jane Durwin). The couple seem to be getting over the possible loss of a daughter ("Karen"), and begin to treat Mr. Wilson as a member of their cold, distant family. He's a good fit. Mr. Cox offers fatherly help in getting Wilson a job at the post office; there, he meets Janeane Garofalo (as Ferrin). Ms. Garofalo is attracted to Wilson, but he appears disinterested.
Hampton Fancher's "The Minus Man" is baffling. What's up with the imaginary room entrance, the borrowed truck, and the head bashing? What compels Wilson? Was it the spider that crawled in his ear? Are the detectives imaginary, or from the future? Like Vann says, "There's a mystery here that I could one day be tempted to explore, when I learn it better." The film is interesting and well-performed, but only minimally satisfying as a story.
****** The Minus Man (1999) Hampton Fancher ~ Owen Wilson, Janeane Garofalo, Brian Cox
Hampton Fancher's "The Minus Man" is baffling. What's up with the imaginary room entrance, the borrowed truck, and the head bashing? What compels Wilson? Was it the spider that crawled in his ear? Are the detectives imaginary, or from the future? Like Vann says, "There's a mystery here that I could one day be tempted to explore, when I learn it better." The film is interesting and well-performed, but only minimally satisfying as a story.
****** The Minus Man (1999) Hampton Fancher ~ Owen Wilson, Janeane Garofalo, Brian Cox