Steady stream of Hollywood remakes in past few years is often explained with the apparent lack of creativity among the pillars of American film industry. There are some remakes that simply defy explanation. One of them is In Cold Blood, 1996 TV film/miniseries directed by Jonathan Kaplan. It was based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Trumane Capote, adapted into classic 1967 Hollywood docudrama.
The film starts in 1959 Kansas where Doug Hickok (played by Anthony Edwards) and Perry Smith (played by Eric Roberts), two ex convicts who became best friends behind bars, wander around and make living through petty thefts and forged cheques. When they hear about rich farmer Herb Clutter (played by Kevin Thighe) and huge safe rumoured to be at his farm they see it as an opportunity for one big score. One night they break into Clutter's home and demand that Clutters give them the money. When it turns out that the safe and money aren't there, Hickok and Smith kill Clutter, his wife and two children in order to evade identification. When the crime is revealed, entire nation is in shock and Kansas detective Dewey (played by Sam Neill), close friend of Clutters, is determined to find perpetrators and bring them to justice. In the meantime, Hickock and Smith manage to slip into Mexico, but lack of money later forces them to return across the border.
People who watch "true crime" docudramas do it mostly because they are fascinated with real life stories and successful docudramas must try to be as authentic as possible. 1967 version was probably among the most authentic docudramas, being shot on authentic locations and having some of the real life personalities recreating history in front of cameras. Kaplan's TV version, made almost three decades later, couldn't take similar approach and was bound to be less authentic. Whole point of the film was, therefore, lost. The only interesting thing about it is the use of colour and somewhat unusual casting. Anthony Edwards, actor specialised for the roles of nice characters, here plays homicidal psychopath. Eric Roberts, who made career playing villains, tries to portray one of the killers as gentle, artistic and misunderstood soul. His efforts are in vain because director Kaplan gives impression of being detached from the material. Same could be said for Sam Neill who simply sleepwalks through his role. For some this version of In Cold Blood could be nothing more than sub-par television film, but for those who read the book this is a pointless waste of an excellent story.
RATING: 2/10 (-)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on April 12th 2004)
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