Moreland at the Movies: The Killer Inside Me

A small West Texas town.  Everyone knows each other.  People trust law enforcement.  But as is often the case, things are not as they appear. Deputy sheriff Lou Ford (Casey Affleck) is given the assignment of convincing prostitute Joyce Lakeland (Jessica Alba) to leave town.  When he confronts her, passions stir and the peace officer finds that he’s capable of breaking the laws he’s sworn to enforce.

The Killer Inside Me is a sexy, sultry, small town crime story.  And it gets a See It rating. While this is an independent film, it boasts an impressive cast. In addition to Affleck and Alba, Kate Hudson, Simon Baker and Ned Beatty appear.

This is great, old fashion filmmaking where the stars and story make the movie. There are no special affects, no high speed car chases, just a solid story and superior acting.

One problem with period pieces is the tendency to apply current day behavior to past time periods.  For example, Ford’s girlfriend, Amy (Kate Hudson) who is supposedly a nice respectable young lady, openly spend nights at his house which is located on a pleasant residential street. Is this something a nice young Southern lady would have done in the 50s where his neighbors could see her come and go? In another scene, Ford charges Lakeland with having a handgun without a permit.  Did you really need a gun permit in rural Texas during the 50s?

Also, there was also a subplot involving a local beggar and several encounters with Deputy Ford which are non creditable.

Additionally, the film has very few, if any, people of color.  This story is set in an oil drilling community; there would have definitely been black and brown families living there and working on rigs. But the bottom line is The Killer Inside Me is worth your time and money so you should See It.

The Killer Inside Me is 108 minutes and Rated R for graphic sex and violence.