The Vulture

Author(s): Connor Campbell
Location: Carrollton, TX

"The Vulture"

Directed by Sam Mendes
Written by John Logan
Film Editing by Tariq Anwar
Cinematography by Conrad W. Hall
Original Score by Thomas Newman

Main Cast

Henry Gibson- Lionel Hanks/ George West
Holly Hunter- Julia Reston
Zooey Deschanel- Younger Julia
Melinda Dillon- Maria West
James Spader- Miles Reston

Tagline: "Killing is easy. Murdering is hard"

Synopsis: Lionel Hanks was the textbook definition of a serial killer. He would stalk his victims for weeks at a time before abducting them, raping them, killing them and dumping their bodies in the woods. His last victim was different. She was considerably older, mid 20’s. He abducted Julia in the spring of 1985. After having been raped, a struggle occurred. She struck him with a candle stick and escaped. She suppressed the memory of her attacker, never able to recognize him. After this incident, Lionel Hanks had a break down, realizing how horrible he was, faked his own death, committing his last murder to provide a body, and renamed himself George West.

22 years later, Lionel the serial killer was no more. George, the married successful investor was here to stay. His wife Maria knew nothing of his past life but she was still his soul mate. The West’s next door neighbors moved out and the couple was happy to welcome the new couple moving in. The couple was newly weds Julia and Miles Reston. One look at Julia and George knew exactly who she was. After weeks of this awkward living situation, George and Julia had a friendly conversation at their mailboxes when all of a sudden, Julia remembered everything. George’s life deteriorated from there. His wife found out about his past and George was turned over to the police. George had not been Lionel Hanks in over 2 decades, and never was again, but regardless, for the several murders he had committed over the years earned him the death penalty.

What the Press would say:

“The Vulture” is Sam Mendes’ haunting and moving look into the psyche of former serial killer Lionel Hanks, who fakes his death and recreates himself as George West (Henry Gibson) when his only surviving victim (Holly Hunter) reappears in his life to bring it to a screeching halt. Sam Mendes directs this film with an obscure style, clearly letting us choose whether or not to root for the main character or not, as he did in American Beauty. The screenplay by John Logan is so real and smart that it marvels me that anyone could write it. Henry Gibson plays Lionel Hanks/George West, murderer/rapist turned outstanding model citizen who’s life is ruined by his past. His performance was so deeply moving that I found myself on his side of the issue at hand. Holly Hunter also is amazing as Julia Reston, a rape victim whose memory of the incident is brought back to her when her rapist moves in next door. Hunter brings the emotions necessary to play this character successfully and does a better job than anyone who’s ever played this kind of role. But in the way the film is directed, most still find ourselves on Gibson’s side, even though Hunter gives the perfect performance who you would normally root for but find it extremely difficult to do so. A Brilliant psychological tug of war. Zooey Deschanel is also worth mentioning as a younger Julia, playing the always baity role of recent rape victim. Deschanel and Gibson have great presence together on the screen, creating the most emotional scenes of the film, in my opinion. Melinda Dillon plays Gibson’s wife Maria. Dillon’s character you would think would be the typical murderer’s wife who sticks by him because he’s a changed man (whether or not he really is) but instead a more real character has been created, leaving her husband in fear in disgust which Dillon plays marvelously. She could very well receive her first Oscar ® nomination in 26 years. James Spader rounds out the main cast as Hunter’s new husband who does everything to help and protect his wife, although she would much rather defend herself. Spader is great in this film but his screen time is limited. Conrad W. Hall, son of the late Conrad L. Hall certainly would make his father proud and has emerged as a talented cinematographer. This film leaves us asking a hard question; What is jail for? Is it to teach criminals the consequences of crime or is it to keep dangerous criminals off the streets? We are left to answer this question which is analyzed at the end of the film and that question is what makes this film so remarkable. As much as we would love to see Gibson go free because we know he’s changed, we still know that he deserves to punished to the full extent of the law and this conflict makes this a masterpiece that will be celebrated for years to come.

FYC
Best Picture
Best Director- Sam Mendes
Best Actor- Henry Gibson
Best Actress- Holly Hunter
Best Supporting Actress- Zooey Deschanel
Best Supporting Actress- Melinda Dillon
Best Original Screenplay- John Logan
Best Film Editing- Tariq Anwar
Best Cinematography- Conrad W. Hall
Best Original Score- Thomas Newman