One of the most controversial films ever made, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer showcases real-life serial killer Henry Lee Lucas' life of debauchery and thrill-killings with his partner Otis Toole. The content is shown in unflinchingly explicit detail, sparing the viewer little. The opening sequence is excellently done, showing Henry going about his everyday life, then cutting to shots of his dead victims with a voice-over of their screams. While it's not packed-full of blood and guts and killings every two seconds, and may seem a bit more tame compared to something like Saw, the low-key terror is still more powerful and far more disturbing. Michael Rooker's lead performance is subtly chilling. Although made in 1986, it wasn't released until 1990, due to the censorship stipulations of the MPPA. The most controversial scene is the particularly horrific home-invasion video. It was finally released with an "X" rating (NC-17 is now how it's said), but is now unrated. Excellent, low-key film, but definitely only for people who can handle strong content. (**** out of ****)
3 comments:
I bought this movie for my brother (huge horror flick freak) for christmas two years ago (maybe three), with the intention of watching it with him. Then he went off and got married and I haven't seen it since!
I guess I'm going to have to check this out. I had considered it a while ago but never got around to renting it.
why did you abandone this blog?
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