White Angel

A claustrophobic thriller set in suburbia, the film is centred on the shifting relationship between a serial killing cross dressing dentist and a writer. The killer correctly guesses the author murdered her abusing husband (who's been missing for three years) and rents a room in her house. Once installed he blackmails her into writing his biography.

I found the plot engaging, with weaving plot strands involving the police, a retired gangland thug, an ex lodger, and a very slow fingerprint computer search making a surprisingly good story. And I didn't see the twist at the end coming.

I knew the film cost roughly as much as family saloon to shoot, so expected something much more basic than 'Urban Ghost Story' - the production team's latest film. Although I felt the lack of budget showed in the limited locations and set dressing, this contributed to the tense atmosphere and quirky British feel (a bit like the 'Young poisoner's handbook' but less glitzy). Overall it's a quietly confident production which entertained me throughout. I enjoyed it more than Urban Ghost story (which for me failed to deliver a satisfying conclusion) and would recommend it.

I believe there are several versions of this film out there - the version I saw is shortly to be released in America under the title 'Interview with a serial killer'.

RELEASED IN 1994 and directed by Chris Jones, "White Angel" (aka "Interview with a Serial Killer") stars Harriet Robinson as a writer in England who hasn't written a novel since her abusive husband "went missing." A new tenant (Peter Firth) arouses suspicion that he's the 'White Angel' serial killer, a murderer who's said to be a white blond woman. Catherine Arton plays her friend and Don Henderson a nosey inspector from Scotland Yard.

This is a pretty good serial slayer flick with capable acting and a fairly interesting story. You can see where it's going, but there are a couple of surprises. Incredibly, the actors and the writers make you sorta care for the deranged-but-'normal' murderer. It also cogently expounds on the concept of justifiable killing.

THE FILM RUNS 96 minutes and was shot in Gloucester & London, England. WRITERS: Geneviève Jolliffe & Jones.

GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)

Sure, the tiny amount of money this film was made for is impressive, but personally once I start watching a film, I forget such considerations and can only judge a film on its merits. And in that respect White Angel works very well. It's claustrophobic, tense, engaging, with a strong sense of realism; and Peter Firth's performance is superb.

For a budget film, this was surprisingly excellent. Very clever, as well as good acting. Although it isn't an "action packed" movie, working off of a huge budget, I was pleased with the quality of the story, and suspense. Worth checking out if you are a fan of these movies.

I don't think you can judge a budget thriller with the same measures as you use to judge a thriller that cost tens of millions to make.

Cut out the helicopter explosions and car smash-ups chases. Reduce the number of locations to the absolute minimum. Then see what is left of a big-budget thriller. Usually very little. But in white angel - constructed cleverly around the limited resources that were available - there is a compelling narrative that never feels slow.

Maybe I see it this way because I am a writer and can see the elegance of what the film-makers have done in this case. A compelling story and a fine central performance make this a British psychological thriller well worth watching.