Just what I expected

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Good concept, poorly executed.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Not one but two women with Lulu haircuts, the same car Ray drove, the same security camera viewpoint at the convenience store robbery... see how many bits and pieces of Jonathan Demme's classic have been used in this homage, if that's what it's supposed to be.

Back before David Duchovny became 'Mulder' in the X-files, he made this little film. Then again, many didn't really see it as 'his' due to the fact that it also starred the highly-bankable Brad Pitt and Juliet Lewis. And for a reason, both of the established Hollywood A-listers stole every scene. However, that doesn't mean that Duchovny didn't play his part.'Pre-Mulder' plays a writer who's working on a book about serial killers with his photography girlfriend and they decide to go on a cross country drive, visiting the sites where infamous killers struck (ending in California – with a C!). But, to share the costs, they agree to bring along Brad Pitt and Juliet Lewis – another couple, but from a very different background. And it doesn't take long before the two couples start to rub each up the wrong way – with some pretty fatal consequences.It's pretty hard to find a bad performance from any of the four stars. Pitt and Lewis naturally stand out because their characters are wilder and they have more to play with, but Duchovny is a sober 'ying' to Brad Pitt's manic 'yang.' Basically, if you like road movies, dramas, serial killer films, or thrillers in general, you should watch this. It really is all those and more, plus it contains some pretty awesome scenery to really add to the ambiance.http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/

What goes on in the mind of a serial killer? What is it, really, that separates "us" from "them"? More importantly, what is with the fascination that so many of us have for true crime stories and deviant individuals? What does it take to change a persons' opinion on the subject? These are questions that this grim, stylish, intelligent drama asks as it plays out. It offers interesting roles to a talented quartet of performers, and is very straightforward with the way it portrays acts of violence.David Duchovny plays Brian Kessler, a writer with a fixation on serial killers who's gotten an advance to write a book about them. With his photographer girlfriend Carrie Laughlin (Michelle Forbes) in tow, he embarks on a road trip of research as he travels across America to visit the sites of various crimes. The two of them get closer to their subject matter than they could have imagined when they hook up with dirt poor trailer trash couple Early Grayce (Brad Pitt) and Adele Corners (Juliette Lewis). Early, you see, is a vicious sociopath who does some awful things without feeling any remorse about them.One major theme of the film is the evolution of the Brian character. He starts out as pretty liberal when it comes to the serial killer topic and is forced to realize the fact that - as he says near the end - that any one of us *is* capable of taking another humans' life if properly motivated. There's not really that much separation, after all."Kalifornia" is one of those films that works on both the intellectually stimulating and visceral levels. It's fascinating to watch, even as it deliberately paces itself for close to two hours. Pitt is excellent, truly disappearing inside his role and enjoying playing the different aspects to this killer. Lewis is fine as a sweet, simple girl; this part of hers is intriguing when you contrast it to the one she plays in the next years' "Natural Born Killers". Duchovny and Forbes are believable as they do the bulk of the reacting in this film.Hailed by some as a serial killer story for the thinking person, this is a ride well worth taking.Eight out of 10.

"Kalifornia" went unnoticed at the box office in 1993, but it's a quality psychological thriller starring David Duchovny and Michelle Forbes as a writer & photographer team who travel to California from Georgia, documenting a book on serial killers along the way. To help with expenses, they take on two have-nots as passengers, played by Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis. Unfortunately, Pitt's character may be a sinister killer behind his "good ol' boy" mask.The film's presumably spelled "Kalifornia" because Kali is the Hindu goddess of death, which is a creative touch. In any event, this is an effective psychological road movie, shot in Georgia, Illinois and California.Brad Pitt really shows off his acting skills in this one because he is completely convincing as a backcountry psychopath (just as he's convincing as the noble Achilles in "Troy"). Lewis is also effective as his naive and childish girlfriend. As the trip progresses Duchovny's character becomes increasingly intrigued by Pitt's animalistic power while Forbes grows concerned of his dangerous potential. The film's also an interesting look at the differences between the middle class and the poor, the educated and the ignorant.There's not much else to say. If you're in the mood for a serious road flick that examines the nature of the killer instinct and more, be sure to check out "Kalifornia." The film goes on a bit too long at 118 minutes but, other than that, I can't think of anything bad to say.GRADE: B