In The Electric Mist (DVD)

In a small town in Louisiana, alcoholic Detective Dave Robicheaux (Tommy Lee Jones) is investigating the murder of a young woman found dumped in a ditch. He gradually comes to suspect that he is on the trail of a serial killer who is targeting young prostitutes. As the case progresses, he is constantly troubled by memories of a murder he witnessed decades ago but which was never reported. Is it possible that the murder he remembers so vividly is connected to the new case in some way?

The most immediate impression that In the Electric Mist makes is one of sheer weirdness. The film pretty successfully creates an atmosphere in which nothing feels quite right. Abnormally lurid cinematography, strange camerawork and slightly oddball performances all contribute to this. Less subtly, Robicheaux is prone to mystical visions (are they hallucinations?, we're meant to wonder) which creates a tone of otherworldly uncertainty that we could have done without (the closing shot is particularly laughable).

Still other factors suggest that the film's weirdness wasn't entirely intentional. The soundtrack music choices are occasionally a little eccentric, which detracts somewhat from the otherwise engrossing atmosphere. Even more intrusively, it's impossible not to notice that the editing is often very bizarre. Many cuts are abrupt and make us feel like we're missing significant chunks of action. By way of explanation, it's probably worth noting at this point that the original director's cut of the film, available in the US, runs about twenty minutes longer than this UK DVD release. The strangest cuts probably result directly from this and so were out of the filmmakers' control.

Formal qualities aside, the film mostly works. Crucial to the film is Tommy Lee Jones's solid performance - of course, it's difficult to imagine him turning in anything less than satisfactory. The plot is reasonably complex and includes an extensive number of characters; the all-star supporting cast (John Goodman, Mary Steenburgen, Ned Beatty, celebrated indie director John Sayles, to name a few) holds together pretty well, too. Thanks to this roster of convincing actors, there are many moments of genuine tension, meaning that we're more or less engaged throughout.

Overall Verdict: Although slight, and sometimes silly, B-grade material, this is a surprisingly engrossing, offbeat crime drama.

Special Features:
Behind the scenes 'Journey Through The Mist'

Reviewer: Tom René