am not a film critic and thus writing a review on Dahmer was quite a daunting task. As I was watching the film, my roommate saw the DVD case and said, "Isn't that the dude that ate people?" That is what comes to most people's minds when they hear the name Dahmer. However, this film is unique because it does not rely on gratuitous gore or shock value. Rather, it is an in depth character exploration of a man and not a preconceived notion of a monster. The film does not attempt to condone or justify Jeffrey Dahmer's actions, or even completely explain them. What it does is present Dahmer as a person; as a man consumed with loneliness and his descent into darkness.
Jeremy Renner as Dahmer
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Writer-director David Jacobson has created a serial killer film that focuses more on the man than his actions. The story, told through skillfully placed flashbacks, spans from Dahmer's adolescence to adulthood. We see him as a confused teenager trying to cope with his sexuality. His insecurities and social awkwardness increase exponentially, creating a very secluded and lonely individual. Jacobson's true writing achievements lie in his subtlety. Little everyday nuances and actions provide more insight into Dahmer than any scene of horrific murder could. As a director, Jacobson utilizes a very artistic and psychological style that mirrors Dahmer's mental state. Washed with a unique crimson color, many of the films scenes automatically create an undeniable tension.
Artel Kayaru as Rodney
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The quality of acting in Dahmer is impressive to the point of disturbance. Since the cast is extremely limited, nearly all of the focus is on Dahmer himself. Jeremy Renner achieved the impossible with his performance. He turned a media monster into a real person. He is the very embodiment of Dahmer. Every gesture, every motion he makes is complex and important. Nothing is erroneous or wasted in the film. Renner's performance encapsulates every aspect of Jeffrey Dahmer. His loneliness, his insecurities, his rage: all of these emotions are addressed in his hauntingly sympathetic performance. Artel Kayaru (Rodney) also delivers an excellent performance. His brief interactions with Dahmer accentuate everything that Dahmer is missing. Rodney is Dahmer's foil: an outgoing and confident individual. In one of the most powerful scenes, Rodney attempts to connect with Dahmer and get him to express what he feels. Artel's ability to create this desperation and desire is absolutely uncanny.
Dahmer is not a feel good film. It is not something to watch for fun with the family. However, it is an important achievement in filmmaking. Everyone, no matter how deplorable, has a back-story. No one is born a monster. Dahmer is an intense exploration of a man self-condemned to solitude. It is a remorseful story of human fallibility. In telling the life of one man, Jacobson succeeded in exploring a universal piece of humanity.
MPAA Rating: R for aberrant violence, sexuality, language, and some drug use. Running time: 102 minutes.
Written by CoA Staff Writer, Jeff Ritchie
Visit the official Dahmer website at DahmerFilm.com
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