Kill Your Darlings Review
RYAN: I’ve been waiting to see this movie since knowing Daniel Radcliffe was even interested in doing a biopic on Allen Ginsberg years ago. Here it finally is and it’s so moody and stylish, like a colorful black noir film; directed in a cool way by John Krokidas. It’s intriguing watch. And I’m really excited about and impressed by Dan’s performance. He does an amazing American accent! His hair is fantastic…
CHUCK: It didn’t even dawn on me that he was doing an accent, but you’re totally right. It was that good.
RYAN: And for all that he plays a student in a classroom, wearing glasses, there is no semblance whatsoever of Harry Potter in this role.
CHUCK: He has done a very good job in moving forward from the Harry Potter franchise. He’s really proving to be an actor who cares about the projects he chooses as someone who likes a challenge. Some actors would look at this as a risky role to take.
RYAN: He’s certainly not pigeon-holed as a mainstream, blockbuster star and that is because he’s doing interesting, provocative roles. I think I’ve seen him in almost everything he’s done – including his Broadway shows Equus and How to Succeed. And this is hands-down his best performance to date.
CHUCK: This movie features a story that really appealed to me. I wasn’t aware, like you were, that it was in the process of being made; but I was an English major in college, and of course knew who Allen Ginsberg was and these other people. This is a part of Allen’s life I was totally unaware of and it’s so dramatic.
RYAN: The whole cast is amazing. I would love to see them win the acting ensemble award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. From Kyra Sedgwick to Jennifer Jason Leigh, to a very brunette Ben Foster – and while Ben is one of my favorite actors, I could barely understand anything he said in this film because he speaks so gruffly. He seemed to be doing his best Christian Slater impression.
CHUCK: (laughs) Yeah, well, he was playing William Burroughs who is a very enigmatic writer and had a wild and crazy, esoteric life. Ben was great.
RYAN: And the most sensitive and emotional performance in the film was courtesy Michael C. Hall who was so touching.
CHUCK: And also a bit creepy.
RYAN: Yes he’s involved in a storyline that’s very disturbing. I really knew nothing about this and the legal defense covered in this movie. It’s horrifying.
CHUCK: Michael C Hall is brilliant. I always loved him in TV’s Six Feet Under, one of my favorite shows; and of course, Dexter. He’s always very nuanced and fully rounded-out with his characters.
RYAN: Dane DeHaan as Lucien Carr was also great but I couldn’t look at him without thinking, “It’s Leo DiCaprio circa Jack Dawson.”
CHUCK: I was thinking even What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.
RYAN: Clearly Leo-10-years-ago wasn’t available for this movie.
CHUCK: (laughs) He was so good though. I had never heard of Lucien but Dane portrayed slinky-manipulative very well.
RYAN: I don’t ever do spoilers but I just have to mention that Dan has a gay kiss in this and it illustrates how fabulous Dan is in this role that I didn’t think, “Harry Potter is kissing a dude.” Actually, there’s more but again… just so impressed with D.Rad in this role. He’s fearless. Aside from the performances, it’s very well written and there’s a frantic pace to some of the scenes – in a gripping way. And the sound editing and mixing is so cool. It’s like you can tell what a character is thinking or feeling because the sound is so effectively edited.
CHUCK: I agree. The film did a great job between the time period and the characters’ writings. We’re talking about Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg. The movie also wasn’t linear.
RYAN: It does unfold creatively.
CHUCK: It goes backwards while forward.
RYAN: Yet it’s not confusing and it all makes sense.
CHUCK: Like poetry, it may take multiple viewings to pick up some more you didn’t catch the first time around. A lot is hidden below the surface.
RYAN: The color tone in the film was beautiful, like shot through an Instagram filter. And the ’40s period costumes and hair….
CHUCK: The production design was brilliant.
RYAN: I could see myself writing in some of these aspects when submitting my nomination ballot for the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.
CHUCK: It’s a very authentic movie and for these actors to take on the challenge of playing prolific writers is impressive.
RYAN: It’s an enlightening, entertaining movie that turns disturbing and can spark some great conversation after seeing it. I’m glad we don’t live in that era anymore.
