Who is the victim?

Rating: Null/10 (7 February 2004)

This is one of those rare movies you keep thinking about after you leave the theatre. Aileen is a victim, but also a victimizer. She killed a man who beat her, but also one who only wanted to help her. It's an object lesson in rationalizing. I thought of George Bush (an easy example, but it could as easily be Richard the Lionhearted), a man who truly believes in higher power and morality, but is able to rationalize killing people for a desirable end. History is full of such people. The crime news is full of the same people, but they operate on a smaller stage. By lumping all men together, Wournos is able to rationalize picking them at random to kill, either for their money or to act as a self-righteous avenger. You have to admire an actress who takes a part like this, and Theron excells at making us feel alternately sympathetic and repelled. How could she top this? Ricci is good enough, though she falls back too often on cocking her head to one side (like Diane Keaton) and something about her eyes reminded me of Steve Buscemi. The pace slows a bit in the middle, but all in all, a great movie.