Driller Killer was one of the first movies to be included on Britain's "video nasties" list that seemed to draw more interest to films that otherwise would have gone unnoticed without all the public attention to the so-called extreme content. So, with a reputation preceding itself I am amazed at what was considered so offensive that it must be banned from viewing.
Abel Ferrara directs and stars (billed here as Jimmy Laine) as emotionally unstable artist Reno Miller who is struggling financially and in turn is supported by his live-in girlfriend Carol and her roommate and sometimes lover Pamela until his "masterpiece" is completed. Reno's greatest work ever is a painting of a buffalo. Yeah, you heard me right, a buffalo! He is given one week to show this mind blowing piece of work to impress his fey art dealer Dalton. The pressure becomes too much to handle and Reno is given his outlet thanks to the port-o-pack that allows himself to become a wino whacking vigilante. The situation becomes even worse when the most god-awful band on earth, the Roosters, move into a unit underneath Reno and constantly practice what they consider "music". When the buffalo painting is finally done, through no changes viewed during the movie, Reno presents it to Dalton who promptly labels it trash. I agree. Reno, not surprisingly, doesn't take it well. The ending just plain sucks.
Abel Ferrara's very dark and dirty view of the seedier side of New York City would shape his future works, King of New York and the even darker Bad Leuitenent. In one attack scene he has a 4" drillbit that looks like it's about 3/16 diameter at the most. This would certainly maim someone badly but killing them is stretching things. The Roosters' music is so nauseating and yet it's played nonstop throughout the movie. Driller Killer also suffers from serious editing problems as scenes that have nothing to do with advancing the plot are given way to much screen time. Do I really need to see Reno stuffing his mouth with pizza? The movie redeems itself by the sheer amount of deadbeat bums and assorted crazies that Reno elects to join into the extra bodily orifices club, free of charge! All in all too much filler and not enough driller.
Abel Ferrara directs and stars (billed here as Jimmy Laine) as emotionally unstable artist Reno Miller who is struggling financially and in turn is supported by his live-in girlfriend Carol and her roommate and sometimes lover Pamela until his "masterpiece" is completed. Reno's greatest work ever is a painting of a buffalo. Yeah, you heard me right, a buffalo! He is given one week to show this mind blowing piece of work to impress his fey art dealer Dalton. The pressure becomes too much to handle and Reno is given his outlet thanks to the port-o-pack that allows himself to become a wino whacking vigilante. The situation becomes even worse when the most god-awful band on earth, the Roosters, move into a unit underneath Reno and constantly practice what they consider "music". When the buffalo painting is finally done, through no changes viewed during the movie, Reno presents it to Dalton who promptly labels it trash. I agree. Reno, not surprisingly, doesn't take it well. The ending just plain sucks.
Abel Ferrara's very dark and dirty view of the seedier side of New York City would shape his future works, King of New York and the even darker Bad Leuitenent. In one attack scene he has a 4" drillbit that looks like it's about 3/16 diameter at the most. This would certainly maim someone badly but killing them is stretching things. The Roosters' music is so nauseating and yet it's played nonstop throughout the movie. Driller Killer also suffers from serious editing problems as scenes that have nothing to do with advancing the plot are given way to much screen time. Do I really need to see Reno stuffing his mouth with pizza? The movie redeems itself by the sheer amount of deadbeat bums and assorted crazies that Reno elects to join into the extra bodily orifices club, free of charge! All in all too much filler and not enough driller.