VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Dahmer (2002)
Writer: David Jacobson
QQ1/2
This seemingly innocuous thriller based on the life of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer had a video release date long before its scattered theatrical run. The fact that star Jeremy Renner manages to mine some depth in his portrayal of a pathetic loner who murdered 17 young gay men pleasantly surprised a lot of critics. But performances aside, this film works more as a study in twisted seduction than it does as an even remotely satisfying depiction of what actually happened. No, we don't need to see the grimmer details of Dahmer's brutality, but the film offers neither a glimpse of his capture or, more interesting, his abrupt murder in prison. Understandably, the film offers no concrete answers, but we could of at least used some guesses as to the genesis of Dahmer's evil. Rated R for graphic violence, nudity, adult subject matter and drug use.