Geekscape Goes to Sundance 2012: Simon Killer
Simon Killer is a twisted film. Variety’s review refers to it as a property that will land between critical acclaim and “pervy VOD fare.” Yes, there is lots of sex. And as someone who was recently working in Paris, the film is true to the shadier parts of the city of lights. Take a walk in the “Quartier Pigalle” neighborhood and you will see for your self. The film also touches upon something deeper, the distress of today’s college graduates who can’t start their lives even after receiving an awesome education. Having seen this frustration in friends and friends of friends, that is what I find relevant to us Geekscapists.
Sean Burkin, plays Simon, the recent college grad who is recovering from a nasty break-up with his girlfriend of 5 years. Simon studied Neuroscience in college and published a paper about an effect of peripheral vision that ultimately very few people will read. He takes off to Paris to embark on a trip through Europe in order to forget about his girlfriend. He does neither. In fact, he starts writing his ex emails and never leaves Paris to see the rest of Europe as he begins falling in love for a prostitute. And then the situation gets very messy.
Simon wants to be an adult, but as the viewer learns the details of his break-up and watches him create chaos in Paris, we realize he is a spoiled brat who should have spent 4 years learning more about life rather than how one’s brain interprets what their eyes see. As the German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes.” Even with all his training, Simon just doesn’t have a clue. Personally, I would like to have seen more about Simon’s back-story and how it affects the violent character that becomes. The latter half of the film is filled with uncomfortable violence and its origins are vague.
While the film is nicely shot and has an awesome soundtrack, I do not know if the visual close connection with Simon on his adventure is enough. Personally, I had trouble connecting to the character of Simon on an emotional level. My mind did not want to empathize for a kid with some money who can’t overcome his own boredom and self-importance to start living his life. It is difficult to make yourself care what actually happens to him.
The performances are strong and the transitions between French and English dialogue are well played. Worth a watch, but be prepared for some dark, dark, dark stuff.
