Save for a potentially interesting choice to cast heartthrob Zac Efron in the lead, I can now say say that Extremely Wicked... is an unmitigated disaster. It's title is a misnomer -- the movie strangely sidesteps Bundy's actual crimes until the very end. In fact, if someone were to enter this movie cold having been uninformed about Bundy's horrendous acts and history, might think he was an innocent man until the final few minutes. Was that the movie's intention? I have no idea.
What was frustrating about all this is that a very interesting, worthwhile movie could be made about this bizarre chapter in history. Bundy is a one of a kind character -- an arrogant, sociopath who was a master manipulator and one of the most abhorrent criminal figures in American history. Efron, who has shown flashes of being a potentially strong actor, might have done something compelling here if he was given the chance to really play a character, but instead we only get snippets hinting at Bundy's eccentricity.
The movie attempts to share focus with the two women who were most devoted to Bundy in his life -- which is interesting -- what kind of person stands by a man whose been accused of murdering, dismembering and raping numerous woman -- but they are so thinly drawn that they become totally uninteresting.What's galling about all this is Netflix's own documentary on this subject is chockfull of compelling footage of the real Bundy and remarkable moments from his wacky trial (where he acted as his own attorney!) and not only does the scripted film ignore many of those moments, they also do a terrible job of recreating the ones they do attempt to replicate (the stunt casting of John Malkovich as a judge is more oddball than inspired).
I would love to see a film about the trial alone -- the circus atmosphere -- the early glimpse at the kind of fame for fame's sake celebrity culture that has now become a codified part of our lives. The semi-controlled madness of the man and the attorneys trying in vein to represent him while he keeps undercutting their case.
When this kind of thing happens it squanders an attempt to tell this story right -- and even when a better version comes along it can feel like tainted goods (think Steve Jobs the Michael Fassbender version, vs. the Ashton Kutcher one). Even though I have yet to see it, I feel like Harriet falls into this category. An amazing movie about Harriet Tubman could and should be made, but apparently the film settles for a cookie cutter version, cheapening one of the great historic figures of all time.
This is just the worst. I get that bringing true stories to the big screen is an always fraught process -- any deviation from the actual events is treated with extreme scrutiny (especially now) as is every somewhat unconventional casting choice (believe it or not a lot of people opposed the idea of Denzel Washington playing Malcolm X, that is until they saw the movie).
But sometimes I feel like filmmakers haven't figured out why they were making a film about a certain moment in time before they get on set. I have no idea what the makers of Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile are trying to convey.
Taken at face value -- it appears to simply show that Ted Bundy appeared to be a very likable, warm and generous guy but it turns out he wasn't. Ok...
There's one real life story I've always thought would make for an AMAZING movie. And years ago there were rumors that it would be turned into a vehicle for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (which would have been perfect casting) but for some reason the project never came to fruition.
In 1973, two Yankees pitchers literally decided to swap wives and families! One lived happily ever after -- yes, he's still married to the woman he 'swapped' for -- and the other was apparently bitterly disappointed.
It has everything sex, sports, the 70s... I would still love to see this movie made (I could see DiCaprio and Ruffalo in the leads... a little Shutter Island reunion). But I don't want it to be made badly. Because then it'll be ruined for me and for people who are new to the story.
I've got my fingers crossed that someone will tell that story at some point, but do it with some creativity and thought, and an eye on a larger theme they want to tap into and a more relevant link to the world we live in now.
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