This runs like an Americanised version of SHALLOW GRAVE and received a lot of flak for the excessive gore, violence, and sick humour (me, I don't mind). However while I was at the cinema I found myself enjoying this one quite a bit. I'm a big fan of black comedy and this film hits just the right spot. Criticism was levelled at the actors who spend most of the film shouting or screaming their lines and it is certainly over the top, but this just adds to the fun. It's a violent, fast ride showing a spiral into madness and murder.
Christian Slater has never been better as a psychotic, and here, he's an estate agent. Many people call him a Jack Nicholson-wannabe but I think he's good value here and elsewhere. The other notable name is Daniel Stern, an actor I have watched play nerds in 80's horror films to comedy losers in the '90s. He always gives a mugging, way OTT performance and this film is no exception. I almost see him as a comedy version of Bruce Campbell. The best bit in the film is where he goes mad at the service station and thinks everyone is watching him. The rest of the actors all look rather similar but it's worth watching just to see Slater and Stern. Cameron Diaz is the love interest, and she gets to broaden her talents. She's not really my sort of actress, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt in this case.
VERY BAD THINGS is not the best film ever made, but if you're looking for action and violence mixed with sick comedy, then I recommend it. Interestingly, the director is Peter Berg, star of diverse things like SHOCKER and COP LAND. In my opinion, he does a good job here.
Christian Slater has never been better as a psychotic, and here, he's an estate agent. Many people call him a Jack Nicholson-wannabe but I think he's good value here and elsewhere. The other notable name is Daniel Stern, an actor I have watched play nerds in 80's horror films to comedy losers in the '90s. He always gives a mugging, way OTT performance and this film is no exception. I almost see him as a comedy version of Bruce Campbell. The best bit in the film is where he goes mad at the service station and thinks everyone is watching him. The rest of the actors all look rather similar but it's worth watching just to see Slater and Stern. Cameron Diaz is the love interest, and she gets to broaden her talents. She's not really my sort of actress, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt in this case.
VERY BAD THINGS is not the best film ever made, but if you're looking for action and violence mixed with sick comedy, then I recommend it. Interestingly, the director is Peter Berg, star of diverse things like SHOCKER and COP LAND. In my opinion, he does a good job here.