1978, Los Angeles. Lovely and charming psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Stone (well played by the gorgeous Brittany Daniel) interviews nervous and scared suspected serial killer Kenneth Bianchi (a strong and compelling performance by Clifton Collins, Jr.) in order to determine if he's sane or crazy. Director/co-writer Chris Farber relates this engrossing story in a deliciously flashy'n'trashy style which creates a considerable amount of raw energy and crackling intensity. Farber's unapologetically seamy and nasty rub-your-nose-in-the-gutter sensibility may not be subtle, but it does give the picture a lurid vitality that's both exciting and arresting in equal measure. Moreover, there's a vivid and credible evocation of the wild anything-goes hedonism and amorality of the 70's. For example, Samantha is the total opposite of a squeaky clean goody-goody two shoes heroine; instead she's a completely uninhibited swinger who smokes pot and participates in crazy drug'n'sex orgies. Daniel and Collins, Jr. are both excellent in the leads, with Collins, Jr. in particular a stand-out with his frightening portrayal of raging psychosis and seething misogyny. The supporting cast is likewise solid and praiseworthy: Lake Bell as Samantha's brassy District Attorney best friend Jillian Dunne, Bret Roberts as Samantha's scuzzy dope dealer boyfriend Jack, Tom Wright as the hard-nosed Detective Bryant, and Mike Haggerty as Bryant's equally gruff partner Detective Smith. Tomas Arana makes a brief, but still memorably chilling appearance as the coarse and slimy Angelo Buono. Eliot Rockett's gaudy, dynamic cinematography keeps the camera constantly moving throughout while Ryan Beveridge's moody score further enhances the overall edgy tone. As a nice added bonus, the luscious Daniel bares her beautiful body a few times. A pleasingly tawdry wallow in the celluloid sewer.
