Movie: Karla
Rating: 18A
Release Date: January 20, 2006 across Canada
Digital Journal — Few movies will leave proverbial chills down your spine. But Karla, a fact-based film following the brutal rapes and murders committed by Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo, recounts horrific murders so harshly that it’s difficult not to be left with a mix of terror and shock.
Opening on January 20, 2006 across Canada, Karla is the most controversial movie in the country for good reason: it surpasses casual thrillers because the plot centres on real-life murderers who have yet to show remorse for their actions. It especially hits close to home for Ontario residents, as husband-and-wife Bernardo and Homolka raped and killed three Ontario girls, videotaping their exploits. In 1995, Bernardo was sentenced to life in prison (25 years). In a plea bargain deal, Homolka received a mere 12-year sentence for what many called “a deal with the devil.” In July 2005, Homolka was released from prison and is reportedly living in Quebec.
The film, directed and co-written by Joel Bender, opens fresh wounds for the victims’ families while also stirring controversy for its raw depiction of rape and murder. Karla isn’t for the weak. Bernardo (played by Misha Collins) twists his face in cruel rage as he punches, strangles and forces himself on young women whose cries for help go ignored by Homolka (Laura Prepon, known as Donna from That ’70s Show). While the film doesn’t go so far as to be gory, it still offers many suggestive scenes, and when Bernardo murders his victims the camera often cuts away to Homolka’s reaction.
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Misha Collins and Laura Prepon play Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka. |
What makes this film a cut above the everyday murder flick is Prepon’s incredible portrayal of Homolka. The audience watches in horror as Homolka’s character goes from horrified to indifferent when watching Bernardo kidnap, rape and murder his victims.
Portraying Homolka as a physically and emotionally abused victim delivers a strangely mixed result: The viewer might sympathize with Homolka as an unlikely character, yet those who followed the real case may regard the story as untruthful. That is because, despite the film’s dialogue being based on legal transcripts from the trials, the lingering close-ups on Homolka’s distraught eyes are the director’s interpretation. Homolka isn’t evil in Karla; she’s merely an accomplice to her husband’s sick obsessions.
Just as in real life, the film depicts a woman who glorifies her husband to an unhealthy degree, often calling him “king” and admitting she’ll do anything to pleasure him. Prepon does a believable job in pouring wide-eyed adoration into every intimate scene with Bernardo. The casting choice was spot on, as Prepon convinces us that Homolka loved Bernardo so intensely
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Karla portrays its star character (Prepon) as a victim to Paul Bernardo’s physical and emotional abuse. |
Not to be overshadowed, Collins is a very strong Bernardo who jumps from fury to neediness in a matter of seconds, realistically portraying an emotionally unstable murderer.
In one particular scene, Bernardo severely beat Homolka and explodes with a raging temper. As soon as he realizes that Homolka could leave him out of fear, the rage slips off his face to reveal the true Bernardo: deceptive, cunning, egotistical and undoubtedly evil. When Bernardo faces his rare moments of melancholy, Collins dips into deep misery for mere seconds before pulling the sentimentality back several notches. While these types of scenes are frequently over-acted in Hollywood films, Collins captures every emotion appropriately, strengthening Bernardo’s character.
As impressive as the acting is, the small details peppering the film accurately reveal the Bernardo-Homolka story. Just like in reality, the couple owned a Rottweiler puppy and a champagne gold Nissan. Bernardo’s homemade movies of his crimes were never shown to the public, but Karla incorporates many scenes inspired by the real tapes. Karla does not include any nudity as per a request by Tim Danson, lawyer for the families of Homolka’s victims, Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French.
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In 1995, Paul Bernardo was convicted of murder and was sentenced to life in prison (25 years). |
Perhaps the most disturbing part of the film is the repetition of scenes cut in montage form, replaying in Homolka’s head during her reflective moments. If you weren’t sickened by rape and drugging of Tammy Homolka the first time round, the filmmakers make certain their point hits home over and over again.
But what is the point?
Debate swirls around the release of Karla, its detractors calling it a glorification of the violence and its enthusiasts crying out for Homolka’s story to be heard. What the film does accomplish is a glimpse into the perversion residing in the deep recesses of the human mind. The story begins as a fairy tale but ends in tragedy. Rather than exploiting Homolka-Bernardo murders, the film is a warning to beware the sly smile on a handsome face. Beware the deceitful lover. Beware those feelings of shame that weigh heavily on the guilty heart. And finally, beware a film that will keep you up at night.
The film has yet to find a distributor in the United States.
