The other day, I watched a film called American Murderer. In it, Tom Pelphrey plays the role of a narcissistic swindler who later becomes a cold-blooded murderer. It was based on the real life story of Jason Derek Brown: one notorious fugitive that spent several years on the FBI’s list of top ten most wanted. He lied and cheated and stole to maintain his opulent lifestyle. He presented himself as a wealthy tycoon instead he was nothing but just another thief and con artist. Brown could weep at will using empathy as primary weapon in almost all his strategies for manipulation. American Murderer is deeply disgusting about his repellent conduct.
However, it is interesting with some significant flaws and its constant use of flashbacks further complicates the story line.
The first scene shows us Salt Lake City (2004). Pelphrey (Brown) cries while selling an engagement ring and expensive watches. The owner looks away, prompting him to give a slight smile. Also, when haggling over price increases, he catches sight of thugs’ car approaching at parking lot. Then quickly he agrees before rushing round back door.
It is here that we first meet FBI Agent Lance Leising (Ryan Philippe). He passes by an empty house before turning back around. Melanie (Idina Menzel), a realtor who lived literally across from them said she hadn’t seen him since six months left on his lease.
Eighteen months ago, Brown moved into an apartment full of dolls and had bought a Cadillac SUV as well.Melanie became immediately infatuated with his well-built figure plus outward assurance.She denies having had any sex relation with Leising.His relationship with Melanie was also intense.Brown would do anything for her small son.He never believed what Leising told her about Brown being involved in crimes.
Brown’s sister Jamie {Shantel VanSanten} talks about their father {Kevin Corrigan} who had disappeared a decade earlier. Brown and their elder brother David Sr {Paul Schneider} assisted him to escape from cops. Another time Jane was shown in a flashback as a child, mesmerized by her father’s lawlessness. This laid the foundation of a man that loved lying but foolishly risked it all by reneging on it. At one point he even incurred huge debts to mafia and had no other alternative than to take extremely dangerous measures.
A number of scenes were copied from American Psycho into American Murderer with regards to Brown. The camera carefully watches his sculptured body while he engages in heavy exercise.Leising views videos where Brown opens his mouth wide and makes various silly faces, dances half-naked with girls, or snorts cocaine.The movie is full of images showing Brown behaving in an utterly revolting way.He goes clubbing using stolen credit cards at strip bars.Those are the best parts.Brown exploited people without any shame.Pelphrey is great at playing the character of an unrepentant villain.
The supporting cast needs strengthening for American Murderer. Philippe’s Leising seems like some kind of robot law enforcement officer. His understated tone totally removes the sense of identity for this fictional person. Leising was obsessed with getting hold of Brown without any emotions.Menzel, a highly successful theater performer, portrayed shallow single motherhood. Jacki Weaver who acted as Brown’s mother provided good acting in two major scenes only though.
The movie’s structure is the main problem. In his first film, writer and director Matthew Gentile frequently changes times. Leising is present while Brown shows past events with Melanie and his family experienced in both tenses. I missed a time caption and suddenly, the scene was different. The reality of what took place wasn’t intricate. It’s bewildering why Gentile would choose to portray it that way though. But Brown is yet on the move since he fled the prison. Sometimes I wonder if his own story would confuse him.
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