Certainly you remember the film "Kalifornia," starring Brad Pitt as a trailer-trash, mass murderer.
If you liked it, check out "Down in the Valley," starring Edward Norton as a sociopath who lives in his own, fantasy cowboy world.
He's working at a full-service service station. OK, so the film isn't always realistic.
Norton plays Harlan, who as an attendant pumps the gasoline for a car full of high school girls heading to the beach.
When he remarks he's never been to the beach, vulnerable Tobe, played by Evan Rachel Wood ("13") invites him along. To do so, Harlan must quit his job.
He does so eagerly and begins a love affair with the Wood character. Tobe is rebellious and immature. She doesn't get along with her father, played by David Morse.
Young Tobe doesn't know what she's getting into. Harlan is comforting, caring and understanding.
It only takes a few hours for her to get into a sexual relationship with him.
But we soon realize Harlan is a few ham slices short of an Easter dinner. He plays imaginary cops and robbers in his apartment.
He writes letters to a supposed friend that include little that has anything to do with reality.
Harlan takes Tobe for a horseback ride, believing he has permission from the owner, played by a crusty Bruce Dern. When they return, there's the Dern character, shotgun in hand.
The police are called, there's a scuffle and Tobe and Harlan end up in the back seat of a cruiser. Daddy comes to the rescue, for which the Dern character remarks he can't control his daughter. The Morse character acknowledges it's true.
In an eerie scene, the Norton character arrives at Tobe's home but she isn't there. Bored, he invites her younger brother, Lonnie, to hang out. Lonnie, played by Rory Culkin, is equally troubled and has disdain for Dad. The pair steal another horse and end up shooting at bottles and cans.
Things go from bizarre and bad for Harlan to even more bizarre and worse. Under one of his delusions, Harlan shoots a bullet through the wall of his room. That gets him kicked out and homeless.
Norton's Harlan character makes you uneasy, but you find him fascinating. Like many fathers, the Morse character is at a loss as to what to do. He finally takes a pistol, sticking it to the head of Harlan. His answer to family counseling.
The characters and their problems build to a climax.
You have to credit Norton for bringing this all together. This builds on his fine list of films, which subsequently included "The Illusionist."
Wood, who was disturbing enough in "13," plays a similar character in this film.
From the moment we are introduced to Harlan, no matter how polite, no matter how accommodating he appears, we know it just isn't going to come out well. And it doesn't.
And it's fun to watch.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 6/22/2007
WeekEnder
Edward Norton troubled in 'Down in Valley'
- WeekEnder
-
-
It’s alive, it’s alive theater
Michael Breeze and his troupe of actors promise an animated — make that re-animated — telling of the Frankenstein tale that takes the stage this weekend and next at the Conneaut Community Center for the Arts, 1025 Buffalo St.
-
Places to visit
WEEKENDER for July 16, 2010
-
CALENDAR
WEEKENDER for June 18, 2010
-
Catch ‘On Golden Pond’ while you can
The summer theater season and the midges along the lake in northeast Ohio have both arrived at about the same time.
-
Straw Hat Theatre opens with new look
WEEKENDER COVER STORY FOR June 11, 2010: Ashtabula Art Center’s Straw Hat Theatre’s 2010 community theater season opens with Lerner and Loewe's “Brigadoon” tonight.
-
Film has twice as much Bette Davis
BOB LEBZELTER / VIDEO VIPER for May 28, 2010: Bette Davis wasn’t what you would call a great beauty.
-
CALENDAR
WEEKENDER for May 14, 2010
-
PLACES TO VISIT
WEEKENDER for April 23, 2010
-
Mark Twain lives at Lakeland
WEEKENDER for March 26, 2010: “If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.”
-
‘Can’t Take It with You’ raucously funny
WEEKENDER for March 26, 2010: I suspect Gary Larson who draws The Far Side grew up in the Sycamore home, the inhabitants of which are on display at the Ashtabula Arts Center.
- More WeekEnder Headlines
-
