3113
Hello Summer!
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2005
- Posts
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My review of this movie is...Meh. 
In case you're unfamiliar with it, "Kill Your Darlings" is a small indie movie that recounts the meeting of Allan Gingsberg (played by Daniel Radcliffe) and Lucien Carr who was, arguably, the "muse" of the Beat movement. Lucien introduced Allan to William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac, also to drinking, drugs, NYC jazz clubs, and the whole nonconformity vibe. He also killed David Kammerer, a man who may or may not have been his lover but was certainly his stalker.
The movie has its moments—the theme of trying to break out of circles, of unwittingly becoming part of a circle, beginnings, endings, etc...but it's decidedly lackluster. Its big problem (IMHO) is that it (1) picked the wrong focus and (2) doesn't convince—nor seem to have conviction in that focus. That focus being that Lucien was this irresistible muse and lynchpin who awakened Gingsberg's sexuality and genius. That's a very hard sell. Both the writing and the actors have to prove it, and I don't think either manages it.
Which doesn't make it a bad movie, just one that doesn't live up to its subjects or subject matter. I give it a couple of finger snaps.
In case you're unfamiliar with it, "Kill Your Darlings" is a small indie movie that recounts the meeting of Allan Gingsberg (played by Daniel Radcliffe) and Lucien Carr who was, arguably, the "muse" of the Beat movement. Lucien introduced Allan to William Burroughs and Jack Kerouac, also to drinking, drugs, NYC jazz clubs, and the whole nonconformity vibe. He also killed David Kammerer, a man who may or may not have been his lover but was certainly his stalker.
The movie has its moments—the theme of trying to break out of circles, of unwittingly becoming part of a circle, beginnings, endings, etc...but it's decidedly lackluster. Its big problem (IMHO) is that it (1) picked the wrong focus and (2) doesn't convince—nor seem to have conviction in that focus. That focus being that Lucien was this irresistible muse and lynchpin who awakened Gingsberg's sexuality and genius. That's a very hard sell. Both the writing and the actors have to prove it, and I don't think either manages it.
Which doesn't make it a bad movie, just one that doesn't live up to its subjects or subject matter. I give it a couple of finger snaps.
