Broomfield's voiceover commentary sounds like a bad Robin Leach impression at times, but his fascinating interviews with the real Wuornos elicit sympathy as well as a strong case of the heebie-jeebies.
Aileen: The Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:57
Fresh:49
Rotten:8
Average Rating:7.1/10
Consensus: This chilling, unsettling documentary provides an eye-opening look at both Wuornos and the American justice system.
Theatrical Release:Jan 9, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: Sensationalist director Nick Broomfield delivers his most personal film with this bracing, powerful sequel to 1992's AILEEN WUORNOS: THE SELLING OF A SERIAL KILLER. Ten years after making that... Sensationalist director Nick Broomfield delivers his most personal film with this bracing, powerful sequel to 1992's AILEEN WUORNOS: THE SELLING OF A SERIAL KILLER. Ten years after making that film, Broomfield returns to the story of America's first female serial killer, who murdered seven truck drivers over the course of 12 months in Florida, requested execution as punishment, and on October 9, 2002 was put to death. Broomfield's film shows Aileen's final appeal before her execution and identifies a whole new set of problems in reviewing her testimony. For one, Aileen contradicted her initial claim that she killed the truck drivers in self defense, stating instead that she murdered them in cold blood. Also, Broomfield realized that Aileen was potentially insane. Somehow, Florida governor Jeb Bush ignored this possibility and accepted her request for execution. After interviewing several of her closest companions, Broomfield sat down with Aileen herself for her final interview, in which she accuses law enforcement officials of knowing about her killing spree and not stopping it. While Broomfield has been criticized for being too active a participant in his films, this time it is warranted. His strong connection to Aileen turns the film into a deeply personal meditation on the life of a truly troubled individual and a scathing attack on America's corrupt justice system. [More]
Starring: Aileen Wuornos, Nick Broomfield
Starring: Aileen Wuornos, Nick Broomfield
Director: Nick Broomfield, Joan Churchill
Director: Nick Broomfield, Joan Churchill
Producer: Jo Human
Studio: Lantern Lane Entertainment
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Reviews for Aileen: The Life and Death of a Serial Killer
[Broomfield] makes an entertaining and at times even compelling argument, whatever his topic.
Except for the sermonizing, altogether a deeper, more interesting movie than Monster.
Marked by Broomfield's same stentorian, recurrently officious narration... but still a sharp, affecting portrait of monstrous underclass miasma.
Broomfield is mostly just shooting from the hip and missing as much as he scores
As much about the culture that produces and fears, consumes and condemns, an Aileen Wuornos as it is about Aileen Wuornos.
An essential viewing companion to its dramatic narrative counterpart.
Wuornos became, by the old standards of stark morality, evil, but was undeniably a classic victim and victimizer. Thanks to Broomfield and others, she is a sleepless night that endures.
As gripping and suspenseful as anything Hollywood is capable of turning out.
Provides an opportunity to study one of history's supposed anomalies: a female serial killer.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
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