177. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile; movie review

EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE
Cert 15
110 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong references to violence & sexual violence, crime scene images, sex

A former work colleague, not known for hyperbole, wrote on Facebook: "The Ted Bundy film is tremendous, go and see it."
I am afraid neither Mrs W nor I had the same level of enthusiasm.
Sure, Zac Efron, Lily Collins and Kaya Scodelario are impressive in the main roles but I question the emphasis of Joe Berlinger's movie.
It is so ambiguous that it could even be thought that he is suggested Bundy may have been innocent.
This is a serial killer who chopped off his victim's heads and kept them! (that's not mentioned in the movie).
This picture is based around a book by Bundy's former girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall (Collins) and so focuses on their relationship.
Efron plays Bundy as a plausible and even loving boyfriend who is incredulous that he should be questioned about heinous crime.
He continues to deny his involvement throughout his trials and right up to his execution.
Meanwhile, he attracts a bizarre female fan club, including Carole Anne Boone (Scodelario) who find him 'hot' and believe every word he says.
Much of the dialogue from the trials is taken word for word from the originals. Indeed, because it was televised, the real footage is available on Youtube.
Thus, John Malkovich can be forgiven for portraying the judge in Bundy's final trial as rather eccentric because that is exactly how he seemed to be.
But, while the movie scores with the fine detail of some of Bundy's story, it inexplicably lets itself down in others.
It is overly and unnecessarily romantic and, at times, led me to wonder whether Berlinger's head had been turned as much as the women who turned up, dewy-eyed, at his trial.
Indeed, it pays so little heed to Bundy's victims, it smacked of disrespect.
That said, it is certainly not a terrible film. Its cast is at least good enough to ensure quality presentation.

Reasons to watch: Efron and Collins in fine form
Reasons to avoid: Overly romantic view of a serial killer

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6.5/10

Did you know? Bundy admitted to 36 killings of young women, but experts believe he could have actually killed more than 100 people

The final word. Joe Berlinger: "You can't watch this film and say that we're glamourising or glorifying Bundy. What we're doing is portraying the psychology of deception and betrayal. And that is an important social message."

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