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| https://www.criterion.com/films/582-the-honeymoon-killers? srsltid=AfmBOooBrXMILjkfWbYvLAPPpo9ZQUaj ZxWi0VU1etpA94OFZeon-9jN |
This film was originally intended to be directed by Martin Scorsese, but he was dismissed early in production. Another director, Donald Volkmann, was suddenly replaced after just two weeks of filming. Kastle, who wrote and developed the script, then took over as director. This obscure production is often praised for its realistic documentary-style filming and has gained cult status.
The story is based on a true crime from the late 1940s, famously known as the 'Lonely Heart Killers'. It focuses on Martha Beck, an overweight nursing sister who is also a single mother of two children (not shown in the film), each with a different father. Her friend recommends her to the local Lonely Hearts Club, where she meets a smooth-talking con man, Ray Fernandez.
Although Martha is a nurse, she seems to be emotionally quite immature. Ray, who is simply a con artist, was already married with children and expertly manipulates Martha. In the name of true love, he persuades her to pretend to be his sister while he continues his day job of deceiving lonely women for their money and jewellery under the guise of marriage. Martha becomes his accomplice and actively plans their robberies, which also involved murder.
It is believed they were responsible for up to 20 murders between 1947 and 1949, but three cases received significant news coverage. In the final murder, a neighbour reported disturbances at the house. However, in the film, it is implied that Martha herself called the police.
The couple was imprisoned at Sing Sing prison and executed by electrocution.
An intriguing black-and-white film set in a period when filmmakers did not rely on gore or technicolour to emphasise horror.
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