Rating summary
Movie | | 3.5 |
Video | | 4.5 |
Audio | | 4.0 |
Extras | | 3.0 |
Overall | | 3.5 |
Kill Your Darlings Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 18, 2014
Academics isn't always about rote memorization. An education isn't just about knowing the how's, when's, or even why's. Certainly, a basic, classical
education rooted in the fundamentals of language and literature, mathematics and science, and history and religion are invaluable for the forward
journey (and rear-view mirror study) through life, but at the same time self-discovery and a
broader view of the world, the way things work, and the way one believes they ought to work are just as important in the pursuit of not only life,
liberty, and happiness but also in the process of discovering one's place in the world. Kill Your Darlings tells the story of a college
freshman thrust into a mysterious world of nonconformity, a world towards which he has an aspiration to explore but never the proper external force
to
direct him to the sort of mental freedom he deeply craves. The film starts strong but grows significantly bolder and darker as it moves along, its
edge becoming perhaps a little too sharp, but it's nonetheless a fascinating journey into shadowy territory and the birth of several literary rebels.
Friends...and more.
Allen Ginsberg escapes unease at home when he's admitted to the prestigious Columbia University. There, the bookworm speaks openly, but
somewhat shyly, for his love of Walt Whitman's poetry, pushing against the accepted grain and catching the attention of the more openly rebellious
and troubled student Lucien Carr (Dane DeHaan). Lucien takes Allen under his wing, pushing him into exploring the world beyond the university's
stuffy
academic standards and practices and discover his own inner voice. Carr's uneasy relationship with David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall), a man with
whom Carr
shares secretive past, becomes a key focus in both students' lives. As the young men explore the underworld around them, they begin to travel
down a darker path that will potentially
prevent their return to the status quo.
Kill Your Darlings explores a large number of themes, themes of rebellion, nonconformity, homosexuality, the power of words, the influence
of mind-altering substances, obsession, and murder. Generally, the film juggles its myriad of dramatic angles very well, even as it releases some
of its earlier, and more interesting, subjects in favor of pushing forward with the darker elements that give name to the film and purpose to the
build-up and character transformations. The film is at its best in its first half, as Allen finds in Lucien an opening to a world on which he's flirted
with its periphery -- he admires Walt Whitman, for example, because of his structurally rebellious writings -- but never found the courage and
confidence to explore head-on. In the film's first half, Allen comes to learn the importance of finding oneself rather than simply finding others, as
his English professor teaches. In class, he's taught the value of the status quo. Outside of class, he's taught to grasp his inner rebel and break
away from the conformity that defines the world around him. Ralph Waldo Emerson, writing on conformity and nonconformity, warns of the
dangers of
too
much nonconformity, ultimately itself becoming a conformist world viewpoint. That's the fine line Allen is tasked with walking as he trends
away from the
system but is threatened by a full-on push to totally reject the world around him and, in essence, conforming to a nonconformist approach to life.
The film moves on from there to explore the dangers of total disconnect but also champion one's freedom to find personal satisfaction
and even critical success as part of a breakaway movement, here as part of the "Beat Generation," a collection of writers that
ignored standard styles in their writings and allowed outside influences -- drugs, sexual experimentation -- to further give a novel bend to their
works. As the film progresses, it exposes the sordid truths behind Lucien's and David's relationship while Allen's and Lucien's bonding in the ways
of nonconformity and rebellion grow stronger but experience strain. Much of the drama comes from the clashing of cultures and ideas. The film is
set at the height of
World War II -- one of the characters has a brother on the front-lines at Anzio -- at time in which the mere utterance of a slang term for the male
sexual organ in the library was enough to warrant a call to the police, never mind public displays of restricted or other materials deemed distasteful
for the time. In essence, the film plays like a precursor to the counterculture movement in the 1960s as told through the prism of academics who
used the established system as something of a negative template for their way of thinking, writing, and living.
Kill Your Darlings takes on something of a slightly cold, muted tone that accentuates the rebellious nature and darker dealings that shape
the story. It's nicely directed and photographed, taking a rather low-key approach that emphasizes characterization and plot construction rather
than snazzy trickery meant to distract the audience from the core story themes. While the film would benefit from an expanded runtime to more
fully
explore the fascinating avenues it opens, it's nevertheless a rather tight, intoxicating journey as presently constructed. It's well acted all around.
Daniel Radcliffe gives his most daring and mature performance of his career, not quite escaping the
Harry Potter look -- the glasses and wardrobe don't help -- but
breaking far, far away from that world in terms of adult-centered dramatic exploration and risk taking. Dane DeHaan is terrific as Allen's influence
Lucien,
an influence for better or for worse. The slow progression into chaos and the gradual construction of his dark past give the actor plenty of room to
construct the character through subtleties and broad strokes alike, which he masters in every scene. Michael C. Hall is also wonderful as Lucien's
somewhat mysterious older companion.
Kill Your Darlings Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Kill Your Darlings enjoys a typically excellent Sony Blu-ray transfer. The picture features a classically filmic appearance, a hair soft in a few
spots and around a couple of edges but lightly grainy and beautifully so. Details are commandingly even and precise. Period clothing textures stand
out nicely and complexly, particularly sweaters and heavy sport jackets. Facial details are even and natural, while structural backgrounds around
Columbia and outside of its boundaries in New York City are pristine. The color palette never finds much brilliance. The picture offers a subdued
selection of colors, colors that are consistently accurate but not afforded the sort of bright, cheery surroundings to help accentuate their vitality. Still,
neckties, dresses, in-school accents, and other objects display the film's palette as it was intended. Black levels are sufficiently deep and accurate,
while flesh tones never stray very far from natural, reflecting the picture's own color scheme. The image suffers from no distracting wear or digital
anomalies. All in all, a brilliant transfer from Sony.
Kill Your Darlings Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
Kill Your Darlings arrives on Blu-ray with a Sony standard-issue DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This is a dialogue-heavy film
that relies on the spoken word as the primary device to advance the story. Fortunately, it plays neatly and evenly from the center with lifelike presence
and attention to detail. Musical playback satisfies, whether from lightly scratchy records, radios, or live concerts that send smooth and robust notes
and crisp, accurate lyrics into the listening area. Minor ambient effects and generalized supportive sound effects enjoy natural placement, accuracy,
and volume when necessary. Though not a dynamic soundtrack in the traditional sense, listeners will appreciate this track's focus and capable delivery
of its key elements.
Kill Your Darlings Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
Kill Your Darlings contains a quality assortment of supplements.
- Audio Commentary: Actors Daniel Radcliffe and Dane DeHaan, Co-Writer and Director John Krokidas, and Co-Writer Austin Bunn guide
audiences through the film, beginning with the challenge of shooting a difficult scene on day one and moving forward to discuss the picture's life
history and cinematic influences, shooting locales, themes and structure, and plenty more. It's a fun and fast yet informative and well-spoken track.
Fans will definitely want to give it a listen. With optional English subtitles.
- In Conversation with Daniel Radcliffe and Dane DeHaan (HD, 6:04): The stars sit down with Moderator Jenelle Riley for an
all-too-brief Q&A session. With optional English subtitles.
- Q&A with Director/Co-Writer John Krokidas and Co-Writer Austin Bunn (HD, 1:05:42): The duo field a number of questions from the
comfort of home. With optional English subtitles.
- On the Red Carpet at the Toronto Film Festival (HD, 7:29): Clips from the cast and crew's appearance at the festival, followed by a few
comments from John Krokidas before a screening. With optional English subtitles.
- Deleted Scenes (HD): You Gotta Love College (1:07), It's Our Bastille Boys! (1:09), Do You Even Want to Be With
Me? (0:46), You Can't Run Forever (0:47), I Thee Wed (0:28), In the Trenches (1:43), and The Perfect Day
(1:18). With optional English subtitles.
- Kill Your Darlings Theatrical Trailer (HD, 2:03).
- Previews: Additional Sony titles.
- DVD Copy.
Kill Your Darlings Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Kill Your Darlings might have been more, and it might have proved significantly more gripping had it chosen a path and stuck with it through to
the end, but as it is the film takes audiences on a fascinating journey first of academic rebellion, then personal exploration, and finally to a
murky-to-dark
tale of murder and secret lives. If nothing more, the film would benefit from an extended cut that more fully explores all of the paths down which it
takes its audience, but the end result is nevertheless a satisfying, dramatically gripping, and mentally challenging story of rebellion and the growth of
several of the more influential writers of the second half of the 20th century. It's not a perfect film, but openminded audiences will certainly find much
to treasure here. Sony's Blu-ray release of Kill Your Darlings features standout video and fine audio. A fair collection of extras round out a
must-own package. Recommended.