victorysip if I had not read so much about J, Dahmer than I think I would have enjoyed this movie far more. It wasn't badly acted or dull but the portrayal of Dahmer wasn't really that factual, you can tell by documentaries and reports that he was a quiet and shy man that wanted to be liked and didn't want to be alone, however this film almost see's him as arrogent. Also many of the details of when Dahmer was younger were wrong (first killing) and this almost made you think that what he was doing wasn't as shocking as what really had happened. Dahmer was a teenage alcoholic and it would have been good to see some of them factors that made him the way he was, also the fascination with road kill. the film wasn't boring but I felt that the portrayal wasn't what I expected and that made me some what frustrated at times. It is defiantly worth watching but if you have read/watched anything about Dahmer than you will understand the vast difference in interpretation.

Jan Manning I'm sure readers will find flaws with what I say, but I'm mostly interested in making sure people watch this movie as a case study rather than an entertaining horror film, which it is not. Jeremy Renner does an amazing job in this film, and he brings Dahmer to life in a haunting, sympathetic way.Serial killer movies are fascinating to me because they study the mind of human beings whose brains aren't wired right. I agree with those who said if you wanted a gore-fest in this movie that you'd be disappointed. But as a case study of a troubled young man who turns to horrible acts to feel good, this movie is interesting. I'm getting my masters in counseling, and when I watch movies like this one, I always find the interactions with the family interesting. Many people have said that Jeffrey Dahmer had a "good upbringing", so why did he turn out so weird? In my opinion, he was born with faulty wiring when it comes to figuring out good and bad, and then he was basically neglected by his family. He did not have a loving family and a good upbringing. His parents know he's strange, but instead of helping him become a better human being, they abandon him. How was he supposed to learn about healthy relationships that way? And battling with his homosexuality on top of that, he didn't have a chance to ever feel happy without some serious help.Overall, I thought the movie was well done. In my opinion, the flashback method gives the viewer the sense of loss-of-control that many sociopaths feel. The scenes where he uses the drugged men as romantic partners, not necessarily just for sex, are uncomfortable, for sure, but they also show Jeffrey's longing for love. He obviously thinks that he would never get romantic attention unless he drugs the men he desires. But the viewer can also see his struggle with this. On the other hand, I wish the movie had gone back to his childhood more. His father is obviously aware that Jeffrey is strange, considering the scene with the mannequin. But how long had his father thought Jeffrey had problems? What had he done in the past to show Jeffrey the revulsion for his own son? Another aspect I find interesting is about Jeffrey's relationships. Sure, he had the one-time deals when he drugged men in the bar, but he also tried to have relationship with people on a recurring basis. He wanted so badly to be a social person and to have relationships, both romantic and platonic, but he had no idea how to actually do that, so he eventually followed his basic urges every time.I think this movie is a sad drama that takes a difficult look at someone who didn't get the help and love he needed when he was younger. Would he have turned out differently if he had gotten those things? We can only wonder and use him as an example of what can happen when mental illness goes unchecked.

gradyharp David Jacobson wrote (with David Birke) and directed this probing psychological study of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. It is an extraordinarily fine film on every level, not the least of which is the manner in which Jacobson elected to dissect the slowly rotting mind of an avatar (as in the incarnation of evil) model of alienation, profound loneliness, and victim of sexual frustration that eventually explodes into the heinous results of those unrecognized symptoms. It is a masterpiece of understatement, not straying away from the horror of the idea of what is happening, but at the same time not relying on the graphic depictions that so many film on similar subjects stoop to in order to attract audiences. The Dahmer of Jacobson's vision is a lonely youth, a man who craves attention and affection of others but must resort to drugs and violence to reach his goals of partnering with a fellow human being, a coming together that though the means are abominable the end result is an expression of tenderness that few films have been able to reveal. Much of the success of this superb film is due to the acting of Jeremy Renner as Dahmer. He has created a character whose shy and desperate needs progress until he is able to achieve his obsession of feeling affection from others. The scenes in the bars where he repeatedly dances with attractive men, drugs their drinks, and then helps them to the back rooms where, comatose, they become his lovers for the moment (so very subtly suggested by the fine cinematography technique of strobe lighting momentary glimmers by Chris Manley with the able assistance of editor Biasha Shom). So much of the seduction and actually killing is left to the viewer's imagination that it is only with three encounters - played with virtuosity by Artel Kayàru, Matt Newton, and Dion Basco - that include the verbal interplay that reveal Dahmer's submerged yet profound needs and frustrations. Jacobson's use of flashbacks to Dahmer's experiences that fed his inability to relate to feelings that were denied him by society spare us also of witnessing all of the murders and associated atrocities that Dahmer committed, and in the end that technique helps us understand how a boy to man can alter in the direction of maturation to become one of the most famous serial killers of our time. (FACTS: Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer (May 21, 1960 - November 28, 1994) was an American serial killer and sex offender. Dahmer murdered 17 men and boys - many of whom were of African or Asian descent - between 1978 and 1991, with the majority of the murders occurring between 1987 and 1991. His murders were particularly gruesome, involving rape, torture, dismemberment, necrophilia and cannibalism. On November 28, 1994, he was beaten to death by an inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institution, where he had been incarcerated.) Made in 2002 and garnering many Indie awards, it is amazing that this film was not taken more seriously by the public. Perhaps the immaturity of the audience prevented those who usually flock to the blood and slaughter films of the 'Saw' series, 'Freddy Krueger' films, etc from accepting this story as a true one, not a festival of CGI effects. Jeremy Renner is now recognized as one of our leading actors: perhaps this film should be released again so that audiences can appreciate the masterful degree of his acting skills. Grady Harp

wes-connors This is the story of an oily, but good-looking nerd named Jeffrey Dahmer; he loses his marbles after picking up a hunk who declines to have sex with him. The hunk, who used to wrestle in high school, gets chopped up as a consequence. This makes Dahmer's kitchen a bloody mess, because he is not proactive when it comes to cleaning up after himself. Apparently (and, this isn't shown), Dahmer had sex with the hunk's body, because this becomes his preferred sex act. He has sex with "dead" bodies for some intervening time - putting "dead" in quotes here, because Dahmer doesn't kill his victims; instead, he drugs them.There is also, apparently, some action between Dahmer and a mannequin he keeps in the closet (again, this isn't shown, but it seems to fit the character's personality). Dahmer picks up his soon-to-be doped lovers at a gay bar which also happens to double as a hotel for one-night-stands. Well, the groggy men must have looked a sight upon awakening, because the bartender gets hip to Dahmer's tricks, and cuts him off; in fact, bouncers throw Dahmer out on his butt. His ruse up, Dahmer decides to permanently "lobotomize" a man because finding another gay bar with attached hotel accommodations can't be an easy task.Studying pictures of the human brain, Dahmer uses his excellent "gaydar" to pick up a man shopping for sneakers. Then, he drills a hole in the drugged man's head, and puts him to bed. Also, Dahmer has either a more human-like mannequin or another body in bed with him. But, three is not enough company for Dahmer, and he picks a fourth man up while shopping for a knife. Alas, the bottle of pills Dahmer uses to drug his victims has dwindled down to a couple of hits, and the victim doesn't pass out. As a result, we get to see some heartfelt communication between the men, and the beginnings of an actual relationship.While still violent, Dahmer reveals his softer, philosophical side to his potential victim. He's actually a pretty clever dude. Finally, it seems like Dahmer has made a love connection. To see if it works out for the men, you'll have to watch the movie yourself… "Dahmer" is based on a true story and is done in the "non-linear" style (expect flashbacks). It's not quite a horror story and not quite a serial killer story. But, the performances are (all kidding aside) excellent. Director David Jacobson and Jeremy Renner make the lead character a sympathetic psycho, though we're never really sure why we should like him. And, determining what makes him tick is difficult. Watching Mr. Renner interact with his three victims - wrestler hunk Matt Newton (as Lance), sneaker dude Dion Basco (as Comte), and especially knife clerk Artel Kayaru (as Rodney) - is the film's greatest strength.******* Dahmer (6/21/02) David Jacobson ~ Jeremy Renner, Artel Kayàru, Matt Newton, Dion Basco