THE HUNT FOR THE I-5 KILLER
US, 2011, 90 minutes, Colour.
John Corbett, Sara Canning, Tygh Runyan, Bo Derek.
Directed by Allan Kroeker.
The hunt for the I-5 Killer is a Lifetime Telemovie, filmed in British Columbia. It is based on a true story.
The focus is on killer who assaults women, robbing some, raping others, killing a number of his victims. The detective in charge is played by John Corbett who has returned from overseas service and is eager for a strong case to investigate. This case is more than he anticipated and for a long time he is unable to make progress in solving the mystery. One of the survivors of an attack, played by Sara Canning, becomes dependent on him and he wants to be her saviour. This puts some strains on his marriage.
Halfway through the film, the murderer is introduced. He is played by Tygh Runyan. He is a vengeful type – and also a personal charmer who wants to talk his way out of every difficult situation.
There is an effective cameo by Bo Derek (John Corbett’s real-life companion) as a policewoman who is very unsympathetic and uncooperative.
The film was directed by Allan Kroeker, a veteran of many television series from the mid-80s.
The film is interesting in its presentation of an actual case, the investigation – with some violent sequences introduced (perhaps too often for some tastes) to indicate the horror of the serial killer and the violence on his victims.
1. An interesting American telemovie? An actual police case? Serial killer and crime? Investigation?
2. The Canadian settings for the US? The I-5 and its going up the west coast of the United States from California to Washington State?
3. The photography, the locations, the authentic feel? The I-5 itself – the various towns, the diners, factories, offices, homes? The locations for the crimes?
4. Dave Kominek, his war background, his commenting about needing a strong case? The introduction to the serial killer? Beth and her surviving the attack? His concern? His promises to her? His collaboration with the other police in his town? With other police forces up and down the I-5? The range of investigations, following the clues? The killer and his leaving very few clues? His exasperation? His irritability? Beth’s dependence on him? The concern of his wife?
5. The introduction of the killer, his friend, their travelling? His working as a barman? His smug attitude? At the boarding house? His indicating that his friend was the killer?
6. The reality of the crimes? In the coat, the hood, the plaster over his nose – which he thought would avoid identification? His ruthlessness? His motivations? His anti-women? His friendship with Angie, the proposal, saying that she had changed his life? Her visit to him in prison, her disappointment and his resentment?
7. The range of victims, the scenes of the crimes, at the diners, the young women, at service stations? The mother and daughter at home? Indiscriminate?
8. The local policewoman, her lack of collaboration with Komenik, not providing the warrant? Her attitude and his exasperation?
9. The range of police, detection, the roadblocks, going to homes? Local police following their hunches?
10. The final confrontation, Komenik with Woodfield? At his home, the search, his destroying the evidence? In prison? Getting Beth to come to identify him, the line-up, her picking him out, her feeling relieved and not in danger?
11. Komenik and his success – a telemovie for the average audience, dramatising, perhaps overdramatising the violence in the case? Nevertheless showing what was needed for a thorough investigation and arrest?
