With this kind of subject matter you'd expect either an insightful sociological exploration or an all-out horror film, but neither is even remotely attempted here. In fact, I'm not sure what the filmmakers were trying to achieve, because it doesn't work on any level at all. There's no insight into Gein or his family, there's no suspense at all, and the gross-out factor is strangely undercut in an almost made-for-American-TV way, while the cheap production design and a bizarre musical score make it hard to suspend disbelief. The performances are uneven as well--hammy and unnatural. Railsback plays Gein as a cross between Hannibal Lector and Forrest Gump, while Snodgress spits and chews her way through the scenery around them. In the end, all this mediocre filmmaking only trivialises this extraordinary life without helping us understand anything or learn any lessons. There's a great film (or three!) in this man's life--this is certainly not one of them.

themes, violence, grisliness

16.Jul.01

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