Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-19 20:27:39

Confusing, boringa HUGE letdown

There have been many reviews for this movie already. However, if I can make one less person buy this movie, it will all be worth it. This has got to be one of the worst movies I have ever seen...and I'm a film buff. I own over 75 movies. I've seen many more. But I haven't seen any as bad as this one...except (maybe) for 12 Monkeys. PLEASE do not buy this movie! The end will leave you confused and let down. Also, interestingly enough, I couldn't wait for the movie to be over as I watched it. It was just so BORING (for lack of a better adjective).

screamqueen96 2012-05-19 13:20:06

This is the stupidest movie I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This movie was so stupid that it was hard to watch. I make it a habitneverto stop watching a movie before it's finished, but this one challenged myphilosophy. Not one minute was scary, suspenseful, or even interesting.How did this cast ever agree to make this movie? They must have all beenunder some evil spell!!!!!!!!!

2012-05-09 04:28:09

Meet Norman's Brother, Vann

An unassuming, charismatic personality and a bottle of poison prove to be a lethal combination in "The Minus Man," directed by Hampton Fancher and starring Owen Wilson. When a personable young man drifts in from the Pacific Northwest and settles in a small coastal town, a number of people's lives are soon changed forever, and not for the better. Vann Siegert (Wilson) is a likable fellow with a winning smile and always a credible story regarding who he is, where he's been and where he's going; he's also a psychotic killer who chooses his victims seemingly at random, yet is so ingratiating that he never falls under suspicion. And such is the case when he rents a room from an unsuspecting couple, Jane and Doug Durwin (Mercedes Ruehl and Brian Cox). Without realizing, of course, that he's enabling a murderer, Doug helps Vann find gainful employment, allowing him to establish himself within the community, and the rest-- as they say-- is history. In one of the more telling scenes in the film, Vann reflects to himself, "If it weren't for me, these people would all be doing something else today..." What they are doing, in fact, is searching for one of their own who has gone missing, courtesy of Vann. What is so distressing about this movie is the lack of menace outwardly presented by someone so intrinsically evil; like Norman Bates in "Psycho," Vann is simply too unprepossessing and benign to be considered a threat to anyone. The contrast between his countenance and his crimes is chilling; and the fact that he perpetrates his deeds in such a matter-of-fact, unemotional manner gives new meaning to the phrase "cold blooded killer." One of the interesting aspects of the film is that Vann acts as narrator as well, which effectively puts the audience inside the mind behind the madness, even more so than in "Silence of the Lambs," because in this case, the viewer is privy to the actual thought process that precipitates the crimes. And it becomes a bit unnerving after some reflection upon what is actually transpiring under the guise of "normalcy." Owen Wilson is well cast and gives a stunningly credible performance as Vann; he conveys such a low-keyed, eye-in-the-center-of-the-storm manner that he is instantly recognizable as the boy next door you'd be more than happy for your daughter to date. And after watching him in action it becomes truly disconcerting to consider that in the real world there are those who look and act like Vann and are capable of such heinous acts of violence and deceit. As the couple who takes Vann in-- and are subsequently taken in by him-- Ruehl and Cox capture the essence of the "everyman/woman" that can be found in any neighborhood in any town, and the fact that they are people with whom it is so easy to identify makes it even more upsetting when you realize that the vulnerability to which we are all prone can be exploited with such facility. In a supporting role, Janeane Garofalo is a welcome presence as Ferrin, a co-worker of Vann's who is drawn in by his winsome facade; and rounding out the supporting cast are Sheryl Crowe (Caspar/Laurie), Dwight Yoakam (Blair), Dennis Haysbert (Graves) and Alex Warren (State Trooper). Ultimately, "The Minus Man" is a cautionary tale that may spark a touch of paranoia in the viewer, and with good reason; and after spending some time with Vann, it just may alter your perception of some of your more casual acquaintances and even some old friends, especially those who seem so "ordinary." It's a film that kind of sneaks up on you and takes you by surprise; and it may leave you pondering the darker side of human nature.

mackjay 2012-05-08 09:18:07

A Film of Many Pluses

"The Minus Man" is the sort of film whose success depends on the performanceof the central actor. After viewing, it seems impossible to imagine any oneelse playing the lead. Owen Wilson is a significantly talented actor: hebrings a realistic sense of detail and ambiguity to the character of Vann.It is clear from the beginning that this young man is supposed to belikeable. Wilson conveys almost angelic charm, yet he is also capable of acalculating, knowing quality. The latter is what gives the characterresonance. It makes the film work. The viewer is presented with a serialkiller who is not only aware of what he is doing, but has a certainsubconscious understanding of why. This film is a study of one suggested reason for a serial killer's actions:he kills for control, to have an effect on the lives of others. By takingaway--a "minus" effect--he adds something of his own. The idea itselfcertainly isn't new, but the character's illustration of it in this film issomething unique and fascinating. There is a memorable, chilling scene inwhich Vann joins a search party for one of his own victims. Later, at amemorial service, he ponders the tremendous influence he has worked upon theinhabitants of the small town, and how, with just a few, words, he couldchange things yet again. In another scene, Vann decides against murdering anartist who has invited him home: her paintings reveal a pre-occupation withsuicide and death, so his actions would have no real effect onher.Other actors here are very fine: Brian Cox, Mercedes Ruehl, Meg Foster,while Jeanane Garofalo gives a subtle and endearing picture of a lonelyyoung woman.You may not discuss it for days afterward, but "The Minus Man" is well worththe time.

Signet 2012-05-06 00:28:42

Fantastic Movie

I agree with every word that indiefilmgurl says. This is an astonishingfilm, superbly directed and impeccably acted, particularly by Owen Wilson,whose whining drawl and winsome, tooth-cluttered grin combine to create oneof the most appealing images of a serial killer ever put on the screen. Henever falters in his performance, appearing simultaneously vulnerable andterrifying, a man whose apparent charm conceals the true minus he brings toany situation where he makes an appearance.One must also acknowledge the subtle work done by both the dependableMercedes Ruehl and the superb Brian Cox, both actors who never fail toastonish I give this one all the stars in my pocket!

jcappy 2012-05-05 09:47:36

A Plus-Side Movie

I think it is pretty misleading to say that "The Minus Man" is about amovieabout a serial killer. It rather seems a rather comfortable suspensemovie. There's no exploitative violence or sex, and it is restrained andconvincing throughout. It's the kind of small locale film which can beveryabsorbing. And the acting is simply superior--praise especially toMercedesRuehl, Brian Cox, Janeane Garofalo, and of course, Owen Wilson who arecentral in creating the film's convincing small world. On the negativeside, I don't know if the imaginary cop interrogators add much to themovie's themes, but they do detract, I think, from the everyday suspense.Inthe end, though, this is a winner--with the addition of actuallydisplayingan affectionate relationship right up there on the screen. Wonders willnever cease.

Matt 2012-05-04 21:07:06

Phenomenal film, superbly thought out, with great performances all around.

I just finished watching this film, and it's hard to really describe howgood it is. The whole is more than the sum of its parts, which are verygood on their own.The premise is great, with Owen Wilson starring as a very original serialkiller. His performance is OUTSTANDING. He really captures theeccentricities of Vann perfectly. The supporting cast is equally good,bringing their characters to life. It's somewhat ironic in that as yougetto know the characters, you see that Vann fits in perfectly with them.He'sjust a normal guy with a rather unique vice, in a town where everyone elseis perfectly normal, with one glaring vice.The script and direction are brilliant. The movie's pace is ideal for thestory it tells. Just as Vann is not your everyday serial killer, this isnot your average story about a serial killer. It's very low key andrelaxed, which is the only way this film is able to work. It lets thecharacters develop, and doesn't regress into any cliches. A success,through and through. I highly recommend it.

keys72 2012-05-04 00:28:35

a success--rare for its kind

Many movies lately seem to attempt to make serial killers at least partiallysympathetic. (The Ugly, among others, comes to mind.)I usually find such athought highly offensive, as do lots of people, I am sure. But here,because of great acting by Owen Wilson and his cast-mates, a haunting feel,and sufficiently complex writing with under-tones of compassion, the filmmakers succeeded in making me hope at least for the killer's redemption. This is a smart film, and I have the feeling I might need to see it again. It is not the greatest movie of all time, mind you, but I am glad I saw it.

2012-05-01 09:42:02

not a typical serial killer movie

For those of you who are expecting a serial killer movie with violent deaths, police investigation and action, this is not what you are looking for."The minus man" is surely a serial killer movie, but with a very slow and peculiar rhythm. It is about a kind and gentle guy, Vann Siegert (owen wison), who moves to a small town, gets a job at the post office, and a room at a couple's house. He is the kind of person you can talk to, or even work with, without noticing he is a killer. However, he is not violent and kills using some poison, which he puts in the victim's food or simply offer it as a beverage.This movie is very interesting, because it shows that even the good persons have a dark side hidden somewhere, and in some cases, they cannot control it. Please pay attention to the dialogue scenes between the killer and some imaginary detectives, who keep questioning his crimes.All I can say is that it's a very intriguing film...

2012-04-30 18:14:38

Nicely weird

Given what we know about Owen Wilson's subsequent career after this 1999 low-key serial killer flick, you may have a hard time not smirking a bit at his screen presence. It's the same here as in later flicks like "Wedding Crashers." The guy has one speed, evidently. Still, it's fun to watch Sheryl Crow and Dwight Yoakum acting instead of singing. The tale is downbeat, no gore. The ending is unlikely, though. Not a bad waste of time.

2012-04-29 16:49:08

one of Owen Wilson's most best and powerfulest

a great turn in Wilson's career. he's always playing that goofball in some of his movies but this one is nicely done with pure intelligence and Francher directs with style. Wilson is a nice guy, though he is deadly too. inthe beginning he kills Sheryl Crow then moves into Mercedes Rheul and Brian Cox's house, works at a job and falls in aweird love with Garafolo who is excellent. then he's seeing imaginary cops played crazily by Dwight Yoakam and Dennis Haysbert. Wilson shows us another side of his acting career and proabably one of his best, his character can be sweet, likable and friendly and then can be mad, evily and sadisitic. not one to be missed for Wilson fans

jason_13 2012-04-29 06:22:20

Serious Owen Wilson Rocks!

Owen Wilson, the famous COMEDY guy, stars in this almost surrealthriller-drama about a different kind of serial killer who travelsalong the country to pick up innocent victims and poison them for theirsoul defects and obvious unhappiness.As you could suggest, Wilson is the highlight here. The storyline isvery deep, but it never manages to top his impressive performance. Theguy should do more drama. I never knew he was that talented until TheMinus Man. Considering Wilson's undoubtedly successful career as acomedian, this movie is his art moment and it's not that famous. Toobad, because it's been almost 10 years and Wilson hasn't made anythinglike that. What a pity.Anyway, the storyline is indeed very deep and thoughtful, full ofthings you can't understand or apprehend at the moment. It requiressecond viewing although the "experience" element won't be there. It's avery emotional ride, but if you insist on receiving explanations foreverything, you'd better avoid The Minus Man and pick up something likeRidley Scott's Hanibal. This movie is definitely not for everyone.I guess I could call it innovative since Wilson's character is one of akind serial killer. He says "I feel like a light in the dark, they cometo me like moths, because I shine". Vann is intelligent, quiet andfriendly. He is the perfect "Good guy" who simply can't be suspicious.This is some terrific writing. I've never watch such a simple, yetincredibly complex killer-thriller.The Minus Man is highly recommended. Perfect dark, psychologicalthriller with almost no flaws, splendid music tone and high classacting.

Alexia Verona 2012-04-23 11:02:49

like a slight dream that vanishes...

short/concise review: a drifter goes from town to town and rents a room from a couple, thestranger has a dark secret, and it's more than you'd guess.ambiguous review:a man drifts into a town and blends in like the mist seeps into theswamp. Always centered upon his own line of thought, he starts tounravel his nice but peculiar personality upon a dreamy town.philosophical review:What is going on in a person's life that makes one shelter one's selffrom one's conscience and let himself just be. Were his actions aproduct of his environment or did he choose to do what he did? Did hechoose not to accept free will and let his destiny take its course?Like nature, he's never in a hurry, never a hint of discomfort. Like adestiny fulfilling itself, perhaps he knows what will happen, willhappen.If you like thrillers, horror, psychological drama, and intriguingstories, you might find this movie very much to your liking.

Claudio Carvalho 2012-04-23 09:06:50

He is Polite, Good Looking, Does not Drink…. But He Is a Poisoner

The drifter Vann Siegert (Owen Wilson) is a polite and good looking manthat does not drink, who drives his truck without specific destiny.When he sees people that he thinks deserve to die, he simply poisonsthem and hides their bodies. He has also daydream with two federalagents. When he settles in a small town, he is lodged by a couple withproblems, gets a job in the post office and starts a relationship withhis colleague Ferrin (Janeane Garofalo). After Christmas and manydeaths, he leaves town."The Minus Man" is an original movie about serial killer. Owen Wilsonplays a deranged cold-blooded serial killer that scares because he issweet and loved by people around him, therefore totally different fromthe usual cliché of criminal. The singer Sheryl Crow has a minor, buteffective participation in the role of an addicted junkie and his firstvictim in the story. The free merchandise of the manufacturer ofsneakers is shameful and the "minus" of this good movie. My vote isseven.Title (Brazil): "Um a Menos" ("Less One")

poorjoegillis 2012-04-22 13:09:01

Excellent! Subtle, yet frightening.

If you're up for the chain saw wielding, gore fest of your typical serialkiller movies - don't watch The Minus Man. It is brilliantly acted,stunningly shot, and absolutely one of the best movies I've ever seen. Youbecome fascinated with Vann and his soft ways, you almost feel connected tohim in some weird subversive way. It has funny moments and frighteningmoments. Nothing explodes, nobody gets hacked up - yet this movie draws youin. Owen Wilson is absolutely spellbinding and creepy, and Wes Anderson dida terrific job directing. Another movie made by these guys is Rushmore - agreat movie as well.

2012-04-21 22:25:40

You WILL be Talking for Hours!

There's a great trailer for this film that shows a couple on a date talkingabout a movie they just saw. It shows them in various locations and at eachplace, they're involved in animated discussion about various aspects of thefilm. Then suddenly, the sun is rising and the couple discovers they'vebeen talking all night. When the woman realizes the hour, she takes off ina mad rush. She is late for work. When she arrives, she finds a couple ofpeople floating face down in a pool. They are dead. She is a lifeguard. The tag line for the trailer says something along the lines of "The MinusMan, it'll have you talking for hours." It's a clever trailer for an evenmore clever movie!!Holy Hampton Fancher! This guy is amazing. He wrote the screenplay from abook by the same title. The script is so incredibly well written that itreally DOES leave you talking for hours. Each character is so dimensionalyou could eat them like a multi-layered subway sandwich.Owen Wilson does an amazing job playing the likeable Vann. So amazing infact, that not only does he manage to melt everyone's heart in the town, theaudience falls in love with him too. That characteristic is key in creatinga believable, and deeply dimensional, disturbing character.Brian Cox is also amazing as the masochistic, fatherlylandlord.Janeane Garafalo breaks out of her "I'm so unamused" role, to play a fairlycarefree, almost naive small town girl.Some people have commented that this film moves too slowly. In making it,Hampton Fancher said he wanted it to move like a lullaby. Well, that itdoes. And it is as sweetly sung a lullaby as I've ever heard. I cuddled upinto my theatre seat and sat back and enjoyed every minute ofit.I could go on and on for hours and hours about the complexity andimplications of this movie, but I won't so you can go and enjoy ityourself! Then email me. We could talk about it for hours.A Must See. One of This Year's Best!!!

2012-04-15 22:49:15

Laid back killer-thriller

Vann Siegert (Owen Wilson) is a laid-back drifter. Approaching a small seaside town, he runs into heroin addict Laurie Bloom (Sheryl Crow) in a dive bar. Taking her for a drive, he offers her a drink from his special flask ... amaretto and poison. Leaving the body in a roadside restroom, he continues into town.Once in town, Vann takes a room from the Durwins. Doug Durwin (Brian Cox, the best Hannibal Lector from 'Manhunter') takes to Vann immediately, but Jane Durwin (Mercedes Ruel, The Fisher King) is cold at first. Doug is quite fond of young HS football player Gene, and is deeply affected when Gene goes missing. Gene is a victim of Vann's, though Vann broke two of his own rules. (Don't give a drink to someone you know, and don't do anything in the town you live in) Doug gets Vann a job at the local Post Office, where Vann meets Ferrin (Janeane Garofalo), who smokes and drinks, two things Vann doesn't do. Vann and Ferrin hit it off anyway, and Vann settles into his new residence and new life. But there are parts of his old life he won't give up, and the killing continues.'The Minus Man' is not a fast-paced thriller. It's a casual stroll through Vann's life, narrated by him, revealing his personal thoughts on life, other people, and killing. Vann suffers from fainting spells, in which two detectives from his past haunt him. Det. Blair (Dwight Yoakam, who proved he could act in 'Sling Blade') and Det. Graves (Dennis Haysbert) appear in his subconscious, asking questions about his reason for killing. Even Van himself is befuddled at some of his actions, and often uses humor instead of explanations in his answers.Owen Wilson always plays such a laid-back role (Meet The Parents, Zoolander, Shanghai Noon, Shanghai Knights, etc.) that it was a surprise to see him cast as a serial killer. But the casual pace of the movie, combined with Vann's tranquil narration of his motives, is fully suited to Wilson's characteristic relaxed persona. The acting is very good and the characters are interesting. The plot is terrific and the twists surprising and inspired. This is a great movie to rent or buy. Enjoy!

BobR 2012-04-15 08:39:55

No Insights

Slow, even paced and you kind of hope Wilson the serial killer gets caught. And, sometimes you don't. He imagines getting caught but the evidence never seems to present itself in his imaginary scenarios.This is movie that you only watch if there is nothing else available on the shelf. It is watchable, but not really noteworthy. The acting is excellent, but the story offers no real insights into the mind of a serial killer, not that I am looking for that. Have no idea why this movie was made.

2012-04-15 13:13:21

2 Stars because I like Owen Wilson

Watched this movie the other day, I, like others, thought it would be a good physcological drama. Serial killer, poison etc. etc. Sadly I was wrong. I even fell a sleep in the middle of it and when I woke up it was as if nothing had changed. It plodded along at a snails pace. I was really hoping for more, I like Owen Wilson but this movie didn't do him justice.

2012-04-14 18:53:50

Underrated Movie

Owen Wilson is fantastic in this movie, which I had never heard of until I came across it at the video store. It is not the best movie I have ever seen, but it is a very good flick, and I have to wonder why it was not highly promoted.Other people that made the movie more interesting: Janeane Garofalo, Dwight Yoakam, and Sheryl Crow. The singers didn't sing, and the comedienne didn't crack jokes. And yet they didn't need to, because the acting was great all around.The only part of this movie that I wouldn't have understood had it not been written on the back of the box was the two imaginary cops who showed up all the time. But unlike Mulholland Drive, this movie was not confusing on the whole. On the contrary, it gave me something to think about.