THE INFORMERS

(R)

Sometimes our imagination is the best place to put the written word. Based on Bret Easton Ellis' collection of short stories, this movie takes us to swanky Malibu and Beverly Hills about twenty five years ago. We meet hedonism and decadence through a bored rich woman (Kim Basinger), her movie studio execuive husband (Billy Bob Thornton), a sad young drug dealer (Jon Foster), an anxious newscaster (Winona Ryder) and a few others hoping to find meaning in what is shown as their empty lives. There's also Mickey Rourke in a very sad part of Los Angeles, far from the gloss of the West Side, playing everyone's nightmare as a depraved kidnapper/murderer holding a little boy for you-don't-want-to-know. His nephew (Brad Renfro in his last performance) tried to stop the madness. There is nobody to connect with or invest in during the long 100 minutes of this very, very depressing drama. The graphic sexuality, Chris Isaak as a pathetic dad competing with his son for hot chicks and Rourke's raw performance may attract some, but I was sorry I sat through this cold, heartless film. No hats.

MOVIES TO SEE RIGHT NOW:
SUNSHINE CLEANING, STATE OF PLAY, THE CLASS, ADVENTURELAND, MONSTERS V. ALIENS (3-D ONLY!)