Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story

Even the Devil has a sad tale to tell and Milton told it in glittering prose attaining unapproachable literary heights.

I saw Overkill some time ago. There were some respects in which I found it superior to Monster. Aileen was far less a sympathetic character in Overkill. Her motives were more clearly self-aggrandizement and anti-social. True she suffered the sting of betrayal; Ailleen was betrayed by someone she had trusted and cared for but such is the way of the street.

I find it interesting how the same story can be retold from a different perspective. Just compare the old tear-jerker weaper I WANT TO LIVE made in the more liberal 1950s with the made for TV version from the 1970s.

Understandably, this low-budget TV movie is compared unfavorably to the acclaimed film "Monster", which, in a sense, romanticizes crime and hence appears more attractive to the public.

On the other hand, "Overkill" is closer to the true story. The one thing that is missing, though, is the part concerning the trial of Aileen Wuornos. There were some really strong moments there, and the courtroom scenes would have added to the authenticity of the film.

In addition, there is some very good acting in this film, not too inferior to the one that won a cinematic Oscar!

In my opinion, this TV movie is unjustly underrated...

Released in 1992, eleven years before ´Monster', and about one year after Aileen was arrested, this TV production offers an authenticity that 'Monster' lacked because it was filmed during the era when the events happened. The opening scene with Aileen and Tyria drunk driving in one of the victim´s stolen cars, laughing and enjoying themselves just before the crash, is realistic. The scene with Aileen dancing in (presumably) the Last Resort bar to the music on the jukebox really channeled her spirit. This is exactly the way I would have imagined Aileen in a bar: drinking beer and dancing to her favorite tunes. The setting of this film, unfortunately looks more like Southern California rather than Florida. On the other hand, Jean Smart did a great job portraying Aileen, and was completely natural without tons of makeup. Park Overall as Tyria was also good and didn't act as naive and clueless as her portrayal in 'Monster'. I also liked that they used Tyria's real name as well as the investigator Bruce Munster (how much was he paid for this?) And wow, it sure took the police a long time to connect all these murders. Watch 'Monster' and then watch this for a different perspective.

Although there was nothing wrong with this movie nor acting, i found it a bit tiresome and not so cohesive solid portrayal of aileen. A & E biography is probably a better choice. And for sure 'Monster' version is more watchable. I don't believe in death penalty so as in this case a professional treatment instead of death would have been a better choice but sadly that was never offered and sadly she never searched for any professional help either.

I accept the view of other contributors that this TV version of the story presents a sanitised picture with some aspects of the Wuornos story being reduced or ignored. In particular the motivation behind the murders is only peripherally explored and the true relationship between Wuornos and Tyria is really ignored being presented as room-sharing "sisters" almost.

However I do disagree with one commentator who says Jean Smart is awful in the title role. This is an actress I hadn't come across before but I can see from her IMDb entry that she has appeared in many films. I shall certainly keep an eye out for her in the future. I found her performance here compelling. She puts across the serial killer characteristics of someone who can function some of the time in their normal environment in a relatively "normal" manner but who is subsumed by an overwhelming compulsion in other circumstances. The scenes before her capture where she is dancing frenetically and aimlessly in a club and then is slouched in a yard full of bike-riders is a case in point.

I think an excellent performance from Smart well supported by Park Overall as Tyria though the police roles are perfunctory and basic at times.

Although the Charlize Theron version of this story is much more well known and garnered her worthy accolades this TV film is well worth watching if you get the chance.