A photo journalist once said of Ted Bundy, "He’s the most attractive and charming man I’d ever spent 10 minutes with." I’m sure that’s what most of his victims thought...right before he murdered them. "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" (the title of Jim Berliger’s film) are probably not words that Ted Bundy would ever have used to describe himself, and neither his long-suffering girlfriend Liz. To her, he was a sweet and thoughtful law student who was lovingly devoted to her and her daughter. It was hard to imagine that he could possibly be involved in anything nefarious - except that he drove the exact same car and looked liked the facial composite published of a man who’s been spotted locally in the area right before the disappearance and/or murder of several young women.
Over the last couple of days, director Jim Beringer has been accused of making a film that ”glorifies” serial killer Ted Bundy. But his film doesn’t really do that. Rather, it gives a portrait of the handsome, boy-next-door who people never would have suspected of committed such horrible atrocities. Beringer is also the director behind the Netflix documentary “Conversations With a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes.” His purpose with "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" wasn't to chronicle Bundy's killings, but rather to give the perspective of those who believed Bundy wasn't a killer, including his girlfriend Liz Kendall (played by Lily Collins) and wife Carol Anne Boone (played by Kaya Scolelario). Beringer isn't trying to prove Bundy's innocence in this film, simply offering another perspective of the psychopath by those who knew him and were close to him.
The greatest strength of this film is the actors, and there are so many of note. Zac Efron gives the performance of his life as the charismatic Ted Bundy. For many, Bundy was considered a heart-throb, and Efron looks every bit the part. But this role is most likely going to kick-start his career in a well-deserved new direction. Lily Collins gives an emotional and empathetic portrayal of Liz Kendall. One of the greatest moments in the film is when John Malkovich enters the Miami courtroom as Judge Edward D. Cowart, the man who presided over Bundy's murder trial in 1979 and sentenced him to death. Malkovich is charming and, well, John Malkovich. What else is there to say? (The title of the film is actually derived from Judge Cowart's statement at the sentencing of Bundy.) Others in the cast include Haley Joel Osment and Jim Parsons.
While the performers "killed it," the script isn't that great. It's good, but too much of the film is spent on the time in which Bundy was in jail and on trial. The writing at times is superficial, and while Beringer said the film was about trying to get into the mind of Bundy, the killer's psychology isn't ever really addressed.
"Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" will be in theaters later this year. Seriously, this was the most difficult ticket to obtain for Sundance this year because of the pre-festival hype and trailer. It sounds strange to say this, but it is an entertaining move about a serial killer. Go figure.
"Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile“ Rose Wagner Theater January 29, 2019
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