The Barber (A Serial Killer)

Everyone looks for the perfect film and thinks if they do not find it there is nothing worth while. That is why I really enjoy...if not love this film! I need not say anything about Malcolm since his acting and career speaks for itself, but also consider that the films he chooses are not necessarily main stream, but possess some merit(considering his 147 IMDb acting entries).

This film made me think of an Insomnia (foreign or domestic) meets David Lynch (Twin Peaks of course), or the other way around depending on which influenced you first. I can't but wonder if all those things criticized about this film were intentional. The quirky nature of each character, for example, due to effects of S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder - http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm), provide the canvas for the film to unfold onto.

This is the one of few reviews I have written, even though I personally own over 1500 films (not that it really means anything or that I have seen them all)! I just felt that someone needed to speak up for the misunderstood. If you spent the time to actually read my comments I thank you for your time, whether you enjoy this film or not. If you have not seen the film, I would like to say it would be worth your while, but this is the kind of film you have to experience for yourself and see how it suits you.

Something is happening in the small Alaskan town where a woman is found dead in the snow. Right after she is discovered, the FBI gets into the case because it ties up with other killings in the Northwest. The town is about to celebrate Christmas, but it won't be a happy time for anyone because suddenly other young women are killed, as well.

Michael Bafaro's, "The Barber", shows some interesting aspects as a mystery movie. Although our attention is immediately drawn toward the most obvious person, something that the local police enforcers, or even the FBI overlook. In fact the film seems to be telling us the assassin is getting away with murder, because the one responsible eludes being trapped.

The film is watchable because of the work of Malcom McDowell in the film. He is an interesting actor to watch at work. Mr. McDowell is always a welcome addition to any film, as he proves in this one. Jeremy Ratchford is also an asset playing the police chief. The FBI agent discovers something murky in his past that might implicate him in the murders.

The bleak winter of that remote town in Alaska is captured in the film with good results by Mr. Bafaro and his crew. While this film doesn't break new ground, it will keep the viewer involved in the story.

I bought the DVD of this movie for five bucks at Fred Meyer. Honestly, I thought it was going to suck. I only bought it because it stars Malcolm McDowell, and I'd watch that man read the phone book.

Big surprise! The Barber is delightful! It's filled with dark humor, wit, and some really terrific visual jokes. Oh yeah, and grisly murders, too.

Malcolm McDowell is fantastic, as usual. He alternately downplays the character and chews the scenery. The rest of the cast is good as well. The chief of police is excellent as he slowly comes unhinged. The dim but sweet Jules was another of my favorites.

Sure, there are technical problems. It's a low-budget flick, and they could have used a continuity editor. But so what? The movie is great fun. Watch it on a dark, cold night.

And I'm not just saying this because Malcolm McDowell makes my horns pointy.

I've saw this movie once and now Im trying to get it to have a copy of it. I found this movie very slow but at times good. Im from the town where this movies was shot but missed watching the shooting of it by a few months.Its based in the fictional town of Revelstoke Alaska but in fact Revelstoke is in Eastern British Columbia Canada.Almost in between Vancouver BC and Calgary Alberta. Every place where the scenes were filmed I knew exactly where it was. Also a lot of the extras that shown I knew them. After watching the movie I was talking to the "locals" who were in the movie only to realize their scenes were edited out. More info on the town and the movie like probably guess most of the scenes were filmed at night. Yes it does snow a lot in fact this past winter we received over 14 feet of snow for the whole winter. Where "the barber" had his shop is located in an antique store that is on Mckenzie Ave. As Revelstoke is what is called a old railway town so we tend old buildings. Never less I want to movie more for where its filmed than for the actual storyline like i had said before the storyline is slow.

I rented this thinking it was probably another low budget horror film. As it turned out i was pleasantly surprised by how above average it actually is. The thing i liked most were the Quirky characters, there was some great acting in this movie from start to finish.

You are left wondering whether or not The Barber was really the killer during the course of the movie. You will find out near the end of the film, and i won't ruin it by mentioning if it was or wasn't him.

Rent the movie, you just may like it also...if nothing else, it is a CUT above the rest!