[8]

What an odd, beguiling vigilante road-trip romance this is. Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek star as two oddly unaffected youths who casually pair up and embark on what turns out to be a killing spree through South Dakota. This was director Terrence Malick's (Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line) first feature film, and much of his trademark style is here -- the beautiful scenery, cutaways to flora, fauna, and natural phenomena (including the most beautiful house burning put to film), as well as voice-over narration that begs a more poetic interpretation of the material.

In a perverse but provocative way, Badlands sets preconceived notions about morality aside, and lets two child-like characters experience their mistakes with ignorance and wonder. The characters are charming and likeable, despite what they do. Even the cops who catch them at the end of the film treat them with affinity and admiration. One officer even tells Sheen he’s the spitting image of James Dean. Sheen smiles. It’s clear that he seeks celebrity and is willing to risk the electric chair for it. To that point, Badlands has something to say about celebrity and our obsession with image, but what I appreciate most about the movie is its fresh perspective. It’s a rare opportunity to spend ninety-five minutes with two characters that keep you guessing, conflicted, and enthralled.