Texas Killing Fields

Do you remember Gunnery Sergeant Hartman´s classic quote in Full Metal Jacket? :- "Holy dogshit! Texas, only steers and queers come from Texas, private Cowboy! And you don't much look like a steer to me, so that kinda narrows it down!" Its still as funny today, as it was back in 1987. When you usually think of Texas, you usually think of lots of deserts, country bars and pick up trucks. I watched the trailer of Texas Killing Fields last summer, while it was to premiere at the 68th Venice International Film Festival. And just at that moment, i got excited. There seemed to be something interesting about this movie. In a way it reminded me at moments of Lone Star, one of the 90´s best motion pictures, directed by John Sayles. But is Texas Killing Fields another classic?

League City, Texas. Detective Mike Sounder ( Sam Worthington ) and his partner Brian Heigh ( Jeffrey Dean Morgan ), are investigating murders, happening at an oil field. Theres just one big problem. The detectives cant work on this area, since its located outside their legal resoponsibility area. But even if they have been warned, Mike´s partner Brian refuse to let these cases go. And while the investigation keeps going, Brian is getting closer to make his life more risky. With a serial killer on their hands, things are about to become very dangerous.

Even if the location shots are nicely made, with the right Texas feeling, this isnt a new Lone Star classic. Its a pretty simple story, made with a quite simple budget. Director Ami Canaan Mann have managed to put together an intelligent puzzle, with simple details, and with a good performance from Sam Worthington ( anyone remember his performance in Clash Of The Titans? ). If theres any flaws, then its the slow storyline at moments. Wich is a shame. This could have been more psychological, telling more details about the murders ( this is actually based on true events ). But not to worry, if you love thrillers, then this should find your satisfaction. Texas Killing Fields is at least an interesting view on how a serial killers behavior can affect a whole community, as well as the people working on the cases.

Rating: DDD