Karla (2006)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Joel Bender

Writers:

Joel Bender (writer)
Manette Beth Rosen (co-writer)

Release Date:

20 January 2006 (Canada)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The Barbie and Ken of serial killers.

Plot:

Based on real events, Paul Bernardo (Collins) and his wife, Karla Homolka (Prepon), kidnap, sexually abuse, and murder three young girls.

Plot Keywords:

Rape | Video Camera | Threat | Free Will | Getting Away With Murder

Cast

Laura Prepon	...	Karla Homolka
Misha Collins	...	Paul Bernardo
Patrick Bauchau	...	Dr. Arnold
Emilie Jacobs	...	Debbie
Alex Boyd	...	Nick
Carole Ita White	...	Waitress
Fiona Manners	...	Rape Victim #1
Shawn Hoffman	...	Detective Steve Kirby
Adam Lieberman	...	Detective Morgan
Cherilyn Hayres	...	Tammy Homolka
William Duffy	...	Detective Porter
Tanya Lemelle	...	Rape Victim #2
Tony Shawkat	...	Border Guard #1
Kristen Honey	...	Tina McCarthy (as Kristen Swieconek)
Cole James	...	Tina's Friend

Also Known As:

Deadly (Canada: English title) (pre-release title) (USA) (working title)
Karla (Canada: English title) (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for brutal psychotic violence including murder, rape and spousal abuse, disturbing sexual content and strong language.

Runtime:

USA:99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA | Canada:18A (Ontario) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:R (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | USA:R | Canada:(Banned) (in cities not permitted by the parents of victims including Guelph)

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Quantum Entertainment

Trivia:

Toronto filmmaker Peter R. Simpson initially bought the rights in 1994 to Invisible Darkness, one of two books written about the Bernardo/Homolka case by Canadian writer Stephen Williams. But he had to abandon the project due to public outcry.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Just under 56 min in (saw pre-release screener on DVD so timing may not reflect theatrical release timing) a crew member is clearly visible as the duo drive off after abducting a teen school kid. He's wearing shades and is definitely not in a cast member.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Dr. Arnold: Dear Karla, this is to inform you that after serving 8 years of your 12 year term, you're now eligible for parole. In connection with this eligibility, you are to be transferred to this facility for extended evaluation. After the end of which, it will be my responsibility to recommend for or against parole.

Movie Connections:

References Criminal Law (1988)

Moving and well made

An 8 only because this movie didn't need to be made. The world doesn't need another serial killer movie, true or not, but I am Canadian and remember this trial well, so I watched this movie (somewhat reluctantly).

In the end I was impressed with Prepon's ability to show two very different and intensely complicated people (the wife consumed by the love she feels for an abusive monster of a husband and the parolee reliving her worst experiences) throughout this film. Collins was equally impressive in portraying the charming guy that everyone loves and then turning into a monster in an instant. In watching this film one can understand why it took such a toll on the actors. Whether this film is true to the actual crimes or not, at the very least it presents a powerful impression of Karla's side of the story.

The film captures just a hint of the terror wrought upon the women Bernardo abused, in particular the girls he and Karla abducted, without resorting to conventional horror movie tactics. Not graphic, but infinitely more disturbing.