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Kill Your Darlings Movie Review

Name: Kill Your Darlings Movie Review
Item: Kill Your Darlings
Rating: 2
Author: Sivapriya Anand

Written by

Review for the film " Kill Your Darlings"

Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video

Runtime: 01 Hour 44 Minutes

Certificate: UA

Released: 16-10-2013

Genre: Drama

Similar To: First Cow, Wendy, Lying And Stealing, Write When You Get Work

Critic Review
User Review

2 / 5.0

3.53 / 5.0

CAST & CREW

Ben Foster

Dane DeHaan

Daniel Radcliffe

David Cross

David Rasche

John Cullum

Elizabeth Olsen

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Kyra Sedgwick

MORE CAST & CREW

Producer:

Michael Benaroya

John Krokidas

Christine Vachon

Rose Ganguzza

Music Director:

Nico Muhly

Editor:

Brian A Kates

Director:

John Krokidas

Supporting Actress:

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Kyra Sedgwick

Elizabeth Olsen

Costume Designer:

Christopher Peterson

Art Director:

Alexios Chrysikos

Co-Producer:

Missy Papageorge

Marcelo Gandola

James Lejsek

Sierra Nielsen

Director of Photography:

Reed Morano

Executive Producer:

Randy Manis

Joe Jenckes

Jared Goldman

Associate Producer:

Matthew Vose Campbell

David Hinojosa

Casting Director:

Laura Rosenthal

Production Manager:

Stephen Lippross

Production Designer:

Stephen H Carter

Set Decorator:

Sarah E McMillan

Post Production Supervisor:

Jonathan Spafford

Supporting Actor:

Daniel Radcliffe

John Cullum

David Rasche

David Cross

Ben Foster

Dane DeHaan

Click Here For Full Cast & Crew

Kill Your Darlings Click to look into! >> Read More... is a suspense drama written and directed by John Krokidas. Austin Bunn has co-written the script for this film. Michael Benaroya, Christine Vachon, Rose Ganguzza, and Jared Ian Goldman have co-produced this film. Reed Morano is the cinematographer, while Brian A Kates is the editor for this film. This film stars Daniel Radcliffe Daniel Radcliffe is a popular English actor who ro >> Read More... and Dane De Haan in the lead. The supporting cast of this film includes Ben Foster Ben Foster is an American actor. He was born as Be >> Read More... , Michael C. Hall, Jack Huston, Jennifer Jason Leigh Born to Barbara Turner and Vic Morrow, Jennifer Ja >> Read More... , Elizabeth Olsen Born in Sherman Oaks, a city in California on Febr >> Read More... , etc. The film got a theatrical release on 16 October 2013.

Plot

As the 2^nd World War is coming to an end, poet Allen Ginsberg enrolls at Columbia University. He meets Lucien Carr, who is completely anti-establishment. As the two create a rebel organization of their own, Allen finds himself unusually attracted to Lucien. At the same time, Lucien’s professor, Karl Cammerer, pressurizes him for sexual favors in exchange for getting him his degree. What will Allen choose?

Star Performances

Dane De Haan’s performance as Lucien Carr is one of the few bright spots in this film. He makes a sincere attempt at portraying a rather complex character.

Analysis

‘Kill your Darlings’ is an attempt at showing the ideological movement behind the creation of the ‘Beat Generation’ movement. The director chose a bold subject, coupled with homosexuality and drugs. However, in terms of execution, this film has missed the mark completely.

The film starts on a good note, showing the rather conservative environment during the era post-2nd World War. The circumstances in which the youth resorts to rebellion are also shown, but briefly. However, when it comes to exploring the brains behind the ‘Beat Generation,’ this film crashes mid-air.

This film has its share of highs and lows. However, nothing can compensate for a screenplay, that has loopholes deeper than the Mariana Trench. It claims to be bold but resists venturing out into the same. At one point, the viewers start wondering what the director aims for.

The acting performances are no better. Barring the exception of Michael C Hall and Dane De Haan, none seemed natural in their respective roles. Even Daniel Radcliffe looks super awkward as the unequivocal poet Allen Ginsberg. Some of his expressions in the film would make even a statue feel livelier. Somebody should tell him that this is not a Harry Potter set anymore. If not for Dane De Haan, who plays the controversial role of Lucien Carr, this film would have been far from watchable.

What's There?

Only the performances of Dane de Haan and Michael C Hall

What's Not There?

Innovative plot ruined by half-hearted execution
Dead pan acting by Daniel Radcliffe
Rudimentary direction by John Krokidas

Verdict

‘Kill Your Darlings’ had a lot to talk about. However, it failed to deliver the message. Only some acting performances managed to somehow salvage this film. This is at best a one-time watch.

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