This week’s movie is Badlands (1973).
The romance drama is about Kit
and Holly, two young adults who go on a killing spree in the 1950s (a
dramatization of the Starkweather-Fugate spree). It is auteur writer-director Terrence
Malick’s feature debut – also commencing his career enduring and fruitful collaboration
with production designer Jack
Fisk. The film is beautifully shot, Malick working with three directors of
photography Tak Fujimoto, Stevan Larner and Brian Probyn, showcasing Malick’s
talent for deriving meaning juxtaposing his characters to nature. George Aliceson Tipton provides
a good score as well. Martin
Sheen and Sissy Spacek
star with Warren Oates in
support, making up a strong cast. Sheen and Spacek give great performances as
the young couple that goes off on a violent adventure to escape reality. Spacek
in particular is very good, as Holly struggles with her attraction and fear
to/of Kit. Above all else, Badlands is a visual and emotional experience and
journey for the viewer evoking deep resonating feelings. Not only is it a must-see
for fans of Malick’s work, but also for those looking for a film that strives
for more than superficial meaning. Check out the trailer.
Available on DVD
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