159. I Blame Society; movie review

 

 

I BLAME SOCIETY

Cert 18

85 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence

I don't usually enjoy the type of humour portrayed by Gillian Wallace Horvat, gory horrors or low-budget found-footage-style movies.

And yet, while it will not go down as one of 2021's classics, I was quite taken with the zest and originality of I Blame Society.

Horvat takes what she knows - being a budding film-maker in Los Angeles - and taps into the idea that her attributes could make her a top-grade murderer.

This 'compliment' was given by two friends over drinks without them realising she might take them seriously.

Horvat plays herself as wanting to prove herself to peers who she perceives as doubting her ability to succeed in anything.

Therefore, her new project is creating a movie in which she demonstrates how to develop the perfect murder - of her best pal's odious girlfriend.

She begins by testing herself with minor shoplifting but her mind becomes twisted and obsessed with killing someone for real.

And once she begins, she just can't stop.

For me, the key to I Blame Society not being an instant turn-off is Horvat.

Yes, she plays someone who is unhinged, is incredibly self-centred and apparently impervious to anyone else's needs or desires.

She talks a heck of a lot, is not as funny as she intends to be and is not conventional Hollywood attractive.

Indeed, I can't quite put my finger on why I found her alluring - but I did. She reeled me in as if I were one of her on-screen victims.

Consequently, I was itching to see what she would do next to up the ante on her killing spree.

Indeed, I surprised myself in wanting to see more of her work.

Reasons to watch: Unusual and unexpectedly engaging

Reasons to avoid: Will be too quirky for many

Laughs: Smiles rather than laughs

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Gillian Wallace Horvat is 35 and a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, writer and film programmer. Her short, Kiss Kiss Fingerbang was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 2015 South by Southwest Film Festival. Her films have screened in festivals around the world including SXSW, Fantasia, Palm Springs International Short Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival and Yale University.

The final word. Gillian Wallace Horvat: “I was in a bar with a couple of friends a few years ago, and they gave me this compliment that I would make a good murderer." Seventh Row

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