Last Updated on July 22, 2021
THE BLACK SHEEP is an ongoing column featuring different takes on films that either the writer HATED, but that the majority of film fans LOVED, or that the writer LOVED, but that most others LOATH. We’re hoping this column will promote constructive and geek fueled discussion. Dig in!
Maniac (2012)
Directed by Franck Khalfoun
"My main issue with the 2012 Maniac comes from it being a gimmick flick"
For the most part, Elijah Wood continues to impress me. When it seems like most child stars can’t get their shit together or are just really f*cking weird, it’s refreshing to see a dude who appears…normal. He seems like a nice enough fellow in every interview, and I really dig his work ethic. He even recently created his own production company called SpectreVision for projects that can and probably will feature himself. And that’s great considering most of the output ends up genre, often horror.
However, sometimes even his likability can’t save a movie that doesn’t work, which is the case with the remake of 1980’s Maniac.
My main issue with the 2012 Maniac comes from it being a gimmick flick, meaning it was filmed in first person POV. This allows the audience to follow the wonderfully amusing exploits of Frank, who happens to own and operate a not-at-all-creepy mannequin restoration store. Yeah. Oh, and he’s a little nutty doing odd things like murdering woman by removing and keeping their scalps. He places them places them on a mannequin’s head back at home, you know…for safe keeping. From here Frank happens to meet the oh-so pretty Anna, who is super nice to Frank who of course thinks there’s more to it. Obviously, things don't work out well.
Maybe I’d feel different if this was the first film ever to shoot with this POV. But it’s not. I first time I saw it came from an episode of Tales from the Crypt, the one with John Lithgow and a dead Humphrey Bogart, who also made one called Dark Passage back in 1947. Anyway, it’s been done. Personally, I think the POV angle could have been played better if that only applied until he’s taken over by one of his “spells.” I give the movie credit for really going for a psychological approach, but it felt too obvious at times.
Since Frank is out of his mind, why not take that idea literally and allow him to distance himself from his actions. Switch to one POV depending on his mindset. That would help create more confusion for the character and the audience, which should be the goal for this type of film. Frank can’t distinguish between reality and fiction. We should feel the same. Think about a movie like Memento how they achieved that feeling. Maniac could have done the same.
At the same time, Maniac too often falls into the clichéd category, especially with Frank’s momma issues. By the way, if he’s this out of control and can barely distinguish between reality and fantasy, how the hell does he keep his business open? I know there’s some strange ducks in LA, but I don’t see him doing much business. Then again, the internet…
Maniac has some great stuff though. There’s some excellent shots of downtown L.A. here and I love the music by a guy named Rob as it echoes what I always loved about John Carpenter movies. And Wood does know how to play a creep. He’s such a sweet looking guy who would never be suspected. His conversations with himself and his victims sounds effectively horrifying, as does his torture and gore.
And director Franck Khalfoun really brings it. Hell, within the first six minutes Frank gets right to with his first victim, giving her a knife up into her head. I can stomach a lot, but the scalping scenes (I’ve never been able to see those, even in Westerns) play especially brutal. Even small touches work well, like Wood alone in his room with his mannequins and scalps while flies buzz around. However, I just wish the gimmick didn't get old.
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