"The Minus Man" (1999) - Movie Review

“Some people die in less than a minute, others it takes ten. I guess it's what they call metabolic. If it wasn't closed, I'd go to the library and get clear on this.” says Vann Siegert. There are various other “thoughts” or voice-over he shares with us apart from the above. The character of Robert McKee in the film “Adaptation.” says this, “...and God help you if you use voice-over in your work, my friends. God help you. That's flaccid, sloppy writing. Any idiot can write a voice-over narration to explain the thoughts of a character.” I do not believe in it. Every movie depends on the content and style. If voice-over is going to make it better, there is nothing wrong about employing it. Here in this movie it is neither idiotic nor explains the murders committed by Vann Siegert. In fact it does not explain any of his actions, be it good or bad.

Vann Siegert (Owen Wilson) is a stranger who rides on his truck without any destination. He is the nice sensible guy living next door. He is extremely reasonable but also has the detachment from people. People mainly clear of their doubts of the detachment as privacy. He does not bother people and live his life. His life of course involves killing people. He is a serial killer to be specific. But he does not cause pain to the people, or at least that’s what he claims. While it seems the victims are sleeping after taking the sweet drink he calls as booze, no one will ever know whether they suffered internally or not. But that is not a matter as they appear peaceful and Vann Siegert is fine with that. He lands in a small town wherein he moves into a house as a tenant. The house has the couple Doug Durwin (Brian Cox) and Jane Durwin (Mercedes Ruehl). He stays in the room where their daughter Karen used to stay. They say she is in college but does not even come for the holidays. Doug instantly likes Vann. He even puts a nice word in post office for him. Soon Vann is working in the post office where he meets Ferrin (Janeane Garofalo). She is very much in interest with Vann. Among these events, Vann now and then kill people in the soft and calm manner he does without any emotions or guilt.

While the film cruised through these, I was thinking to myself that this movie could have been a lot better if Vann is not a serial killer. He seems to be the most content person possible in this planet. He does not complain or show anger or frustration. He is extremely happy with what he has got and does not expect much from life. So I thought why did they make him a serial killer? I thought may be there is an explanation for it in the end. But it ends in what I feared. It is not necessary that there should be a solid explanation for his weird killings. If as the movie line says that he kills people who complain about life, then Doug should have been instant. For that Jane too comes in the list. May be he did not want to make it complicated and get caught, but he does not hesitate to kill the young football player? And Vann is not afraid of getting caught. He seems to be pretty much expecting it at any point of time. For him it is just another happening. This mystery over him is good and that is exactly the reason the movie keeps going with out any stops. But making him a killer is unreasonable and totally not called for. And his “imaginary” or may be his previously victimized detectives does not help in anyway either.

The small talks with no meaning attached to it which happens between Vann and Ferrin are sweet and goes along with the mood of Vann. Owen Wilson does a clean straight job of the content Vann and Janeane’s Ferrin is likeable and cute. As I said earlier, showing Vann coming to a new town and starting a new life without any back ground on him would have been a great story and a film. Director Hampton Fancher adaptation of the novel of the same name by Lew McCreary drinks the same sweet drink Vann gives to every one. It is sweet and makes you sleep quite happily, but kills the purpose in a painless manner.