Despite the fact that this movie is yet another retelling of gangland life during the Prohibition era, the smart performances by the four leads raise this low-budget film above the standard B-movie fare. In particular, it is interesting to see a young Rachel York of recent "Lucy" and "Kiss Me, Kate" fame turn what could have been a stereotypical gun moll/nightclub singer portrayal into a multi-dimensional and heartfelt performance of a 20-something woman whose experiences have made her much older than her years.
While the screenplay lacks depth, the actors do not. The fluid direction and crisp camera work also put this movie on a par with more expensive mainstream ventures. The story won't really tell you anything new about the psyches of killers like the Cole brothers or Dutch Schultz. But the actors who portray them - Christopher Bradley, Jeff Griggs, and Bruce Nozick - give it their all. Their performances are earnest. They do not play caricatures.
If you enjoy discovering surprisingly good acting in less than perfect films, "Killer Instinct" is worth the view. An added bonus is that you get to hear Rachel York sing. She has a terrific voice and she stylizes beautifully. She is the strongest selling point for seeing this film.
