"Paris Trout" certainly is not for everyone. I, like many users. really could hardly stomach it, but couldn't stop watching it. I did not know it was based-on a best-winning novel; I wondered how such big stars would appear in it. I can only judge by other users' comments that director Stephen Gyllenhaal stayed fairly close to the plot of the novel. If it's main character, "Paris Trout" (Dennis Hopper), were that demented, I doubt if I would have read the entire book. While the plot is so disgusting, I am aware that such evil people do exist. I've known some.
I agree with other users who question the relevancy of the girl-fox part of the plot; in my opinion, she had no need to worry about developing rabies, because she was murdered, to set-up the movie's intention to tell a tale about a very wicked human. I thought ALL of those actors-actresses who played "the Sayers" were stellar in their roles. Ed Harris ("Harry Seagraves") was perfect for his role; lack of character-development does not inform the viewer he was "Trout's" lawyer for all of his evil doings. Ditto, Dennis Hopper ("Paris Trout") was evil incarnate in his role....frightening how well he portrayed a man who knew no remorse. Barbara Hershey ("Hanna Trout") was superb; I kept wondering how she could allow herself to be abused for so long, but humans CAN be trapped in such a psychologic hell. Ray McKinnon ("Carl Bonner" ?) was very convincing how a person can be controlled.
Author and screen-writer Peter Dexter either has a vivid imagination, or did a great deal of research, to write such evilness. His development of his characters is close to ingenuity. Whatever medium "Paris Trout" was intended for, it certainly brilliantly portrays the worst in human life. Twice was enough - I don't think I would watch this movie again.
I agree with other users who question the relevancy of the girl-fox part of the plot; in my opinion, she had no need to worry about developing rabies, because she was murdered, to set-up the movie's intention to tell a tale about a very wicked human. I thought ALL of those actors-actresses who played "the Sayers" were stellar in their roles. Ed Harris ("Harry Seagraves") was perfect for his role; lack of character-development does not inform the viewer he was "Trout's" lawyer for all of his evil doings. Ditto, Dennis Hopper ("Paris Trout") was evil incarnate in his role....frightening how well he portrayed a man who knew no remorse. Barbara Hershey ("Hanna Trout") was superb; I kept wondering how she could allow herself to be abused for so long, but humans CAN be trapped in such a psychologic hell. Ray McKinnon ("Carl Bonner" ?) was very convincing how a person can be controlled.
Author and screen-writer Peter Dexter either has a vivid imagination, or did a great deal of research, to write such evilness. His development of his characters is close to ingenuity. Whatever medium "Paris Trout" was intended for, it certainly brilliantly portrays the worst in human life. Twice was enough - I don't think I would watch this movie again.