Dannunzio

I saw this film today. While not perfect, it is a very good film. This is about a character that does not want to kill at all, feels horrible about it, but has no other choice. Gallo's performance is his best yet, very convincing and telling. The cinematography is stunning. The music is also quite good, adding more to the tension. (I didn't like the end credits song very much though). It's a very simple story, but it is told well. I appreciate this kind of film, where there is not a great deal of dialogue, just a simple story, good acting, and great photography. I don't need a ton of action, plot twists, subplots, or overindulgent dialogue. So something like Essential Killing is a film I can enjoy. Of course that doesn't mean it's for everyone.

There are a few small weaknesses (I found the ending felt very abrupt - maybe there could have been a way to make it feel less so), but overall I would rate the film an 8.5. It is a compelling, revealing and rewarding experience.

the dialogue in this film is awful. terribly unrealistic. the acting is also not credible. most of the time the actors are struggling to deliver these corny lines, so distracted it's as if they're not even in the same room together. I couldn't stand it. I turned it off after 30 minutes. the photography was beautiful, though, but that's not enough for me to further endure the pain of listening to the horrible dialogue. maybe I'm just too into realism, like cassavetes, to enjoy this type of film. I do enjoy some movies from the 50's so it's not just the fact that it's an older movie. it was just bad. I give it a zero.

I know it's supposed to be a classic and all, bogart and bacall, but really let me tell you...I fell asleep 3 times watching this movie. The occasional gunfire woke me. Following the plot is impossible, no character development, bogart walks around like he's jesus he's so perfect (okay I know it's that type of movie, but it gets old when the story's so confusing), and the characters are talking ad nauseum in unnatural dialogue and tones, just so unrealistic (I know again, it's an old movie and I'd overlook this if the story was compelling) mumbling about some mysterious plot details nobody understands, blah blah blah. The only saving grace for me was being about to look at beautiful Lauren Bacall, this was very nice.

other than that, this movie is a real sleeper, literally