Mon 23 Nov 2009
Reviewed by Gloria Maxwell: JIM THOMPSON – The Killer Inside Me.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[6] Comments
JIM THOMPSON – The Killer Inside Me. Quill Mysterious Classic (Morrow), 1984. First
publication: Lion #99, paperback original, 1952. Reprinted many times since.
Films: Warner Bros., 1976; with Stacy Keach, Susan Tyrrell, Tisha Sterling, Keenan Wynn; director: Burt Kennedy. In production for 2010: with Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Simon Baker, Casey Affleck; director: Michael Winterbottom.
If you like first person psychopathic killer stories (which this reviewer does), then this is a marvelous little mystery to pick up. What makes the story even more chilling is the fact that Lou Ford (narrator/perpetrator) is a deputy sheriff in a small Texas town. He refers to his problem (killing) as “the sickness.”
His first killing was covered up by his father, and Lou’s foster brother, Mike, took the blame, and the prison sentence, for him. Since it was a very heinous crime (the sexual assault and murder of a young girl), an influential townsman arranged for Mike to be murdered upon his release from prison.
After several years have passed, Lou decides to avenge Mike’s murder. And therein lies the plot of this book. That is, who, how, where and when he takes his revenge.
An unusual, fascinating mystery, off the beaten path of more traditional ones.
Editorial Comment: For whatever reason, and it was obviously not a good one, I’d not known of the 1976 film version until now. I’ve just ordered it on DVD. And for Jessica Alba fans, here’s what you’re waiting until some time next year for:
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
When I lived in Big Spring, Texas during the Oil Boom I tried to do some research on Thompson who had lived out there, but other than finding a room he had briefly lived in and one or two people who vaguely recalled a drunken roughneck who may have said something about writing I had little luck.
But then I couldn’t find anyone who would talk about the opening of Midnight Cowboy being filmed there (it got an X after all), but they were certainly excited when Hangar 18 was filmed there — with real stars like Gary Collins and James Hampton.
This one is a good book and good film with Keach well cast in the lead.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Apparently the lovely Ms. Alba gets physically spanked in the remake.
Let me say that again: JESSICA ALBA GETS SPANKED!
Ah, the magic of movies…
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Keep in mind, Dozy, that it’s only a movie…
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Yeah, I should probably get a girlfriend.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Yeah, some lucky girl is out there, just waiting….
January 9th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Jim Thompson–as is well known–writes some pretty disturbing stuff. I personally don’t follow his books –or the movies made from his books–with any loyalty. I respect his talent, value his career, admire his contributions to American literature. But I can’t say I’m a steady, consistent fan. I like Steve McQueen in ‘The Getaway’. I’ve seen bits-and-pieces of this Stacey Keach film too, but did not feel like seeing it all the way through.
I automatically wouldn’t even bother with any remake: (for many reasons, its a rule I cleave to very firmly) but one reason which is easy to cite off the top of my head–and expand upon–is that for one thing, I simply don’t even like the physical appearance of today’s ‘stars’. They’re strange-looking to my eyes; almost alien-like. No warmth, faces too chiseled, complexions too perfect, too sharp–everything too precise. Trying too hard. Plastic surgery? They remind me of no one in real life who I’ve ever met..setting aside the male actors for a moment, and just regarding the females: steely-eyed, over-done-up, ‘temptress’-types, –doing up such an ‘obvious vamp’ schtick–they all seem to step out of the pages of magazines rather than any house-with-a-yard anywhere. Who are they? Where do they come from? Who did they have to lay to get their notoriety? What are their values? Really, I’d take a Susan Sarandon or a Susan Tyrell any day, rather than one of today’s humorless, grimacing, sexbombs. Just my 2 cents as a male audience member.
But I digress. I am a firm fan of Stacey Keach, I think his career went badly awry somewhere when you consider how much talent he really possessed. He was a badass–great in any action flick–but at the same time–astute, sensitive and nuanced as an actor. I think this ’76 version has a nice look’n’feel to it, its rather gauzy and yellowish with Texas-looking sunlight; I like story idea too …fine role for him..just not enchanted enough with it to feel any urgency about getting back to the flick and finishing it.
Feliks