Badlands (Widescreen/Full Screen)

 

 

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This is a film with a skewed perspective. Both main characters, played brilliantly by Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen are on the run for murder; they are in love, and both dwell in their own fantasy-lands far from any normal idea of reality. Believe it or not, the title phrase that I used here sums up this movie completely. Let me put it into its context. Martin Sheen's character, "Kit," drags his first murder victim down into the cellar of the house and while there he glances around, then grabs the first thing he sees and returns upstairs. Upon his arrival he says, "I found this toaster." He then places it on the counter like he just discovered The Holy Grail. His character's utter detachment from what he's just done is both creepy and morbidly hilarious. I once heard something in a movie that I will relate here: A genius tends to create his own Moral Universe. I believe that, but I also believe the opposite to be equally true. Apparently, the same idea holds true for socio-pathic, psychotic morons. These characters are so lost in their own personal "Wonderlands" that they create their own set of emotions, remorse not being on their very short list. Martin Sheen is the heart of the film, and dominates every scene he is in. However, Sissy Spacek plays the perfect foil to "Kit" and his left-of-center view of life. Her cold and submissive performance is echoed in the objective narration of the film, where she accepts what is happening at all costs because "Love" can't be wrong. What was especially unnerving for me was that I couldn't help but be charmed by these two very disturbed young people. They have an endearing quality that comes, I think, from their child-like perspective of the world. Everything is seen in simple terms, without any complexity of emotion. This film is a strange adventure about two very strange characters. What makes this story all the more compelling is that it is based on actual events. This is the first film from acclaimed director Terrence Malick, and my personal favorite of his from his small, 3-film catalog. His other films are "Days of Heaven" and his remake of the classic film "The Thin Red Line." Another film with the same ambience as "Badlands" is "At Close Range" which was released in 1986, and stars Sean Penn, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Christopher Walken. Both films are worth owning. I hope my review was helpful. Have a great day.

I love this movie, and I was very much looking forward to the advertised widescreen release. However, when I popped in the DVD and saw the dread words "This film has been edited to fit your TV screen", my heart sank. I'll keep it for the pristine picture; however, I hope Warner Bros. Entertainment gets their act together, fixes this problem soon, and gives this film the widescreen release it so richly deserves.

Les films de Terence Malick sont toujours d'une grande poésie visuelle. Badlands ne fait pas bande à part. Sur le boitier il est indiqué que le film est en version panoramique ce qui est faux, il est en version «télé». C'est l'horreur! Un film de Malick ne peut être visionner dans ce format réducteur. Je déconseille complètement cette version.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Cold, stark portrayal of young killers
Holly (Sissy Spacek), a 15-year-old girl living in a North Dakota town, falls under the influence of twentysomething social misfit Kit (Martin Sheen). Read more

Published on July 18 2004 by David Bonesteel

4.0 out of 5 stars Ambitious Start to an Unfulfilled Career
Stark, realistic portrayal of more or less real life events. Terence Malick established a style he hasn't broken away from since. Read more

Published on July 13 2004 by J

5.0 out of 5 stars Within a Tradition of Terror
Brilliantly directed by Terrence Malik who also wrote the screenplay, this film examines the tragic partnership of Charles Starkweather and Caril Fugate. Read more

Published on Jun 3 2004 by Robert Morris

4.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY BLEW ME AWAY (NO PUN INTENDED)
Okay, just for the easily shocked: this movie is about serial killers who are good-looking, charming, and delusional. Read more

Published on April 6 2004 by steendean

1.0 out of 5 stars Awful
As with all Malick films, he enjoys potraying the stupid as intellegiant; as victims, of the banality of life. The live based on emotions, well so do, dogs and cats. Read more

Published on Mar 15 2004 by Vince Donner

5.0 out of 5 stars An American classic
Being a movie buff, "Badlands" has been a long kept secret from me until someone recently recommended it to me. Read more

Published on Dec 7 2003 by Damon Navas-Howard

5.0 out of 5 stars when the god of self supercedes all others...
The film opens up and ends in diary fashion - the voice of Sissy Spacek narrates here and there, telling the tale her bleak existence in 50s rural midwest America. Read more

Published on Oct 26 2003 by Shelley Gammon

5.0 out of 5 stars A poet of American cinema.
Terrence Malick is one of the few poets of American cinema. He turns a tale of loose cannon and his clueless girlfriend driving across the country into pure poetry. Read more

Published on July 1 2003 by Dhaval Vyas

3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
Youngsters Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek kill in the Midwest. Based on a true story, Badlands is an excellent interpretation of being an outsider and floundering in the currents... Read more

Published on April 23 2003 by Jeremy Hulette

5.0 out of 5 stars 30 YearsLater...Still Chilling....
This review refers to the Warner Bros DVD edition of "Badlands"...

Thirty years ago, young filmakers Terrance Malick(director) and Tak Fujimoto(cinematographer)gave us an... Read more

Published on Mar 31 2003 by L. Shirley

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