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
