Into the Abyss Review
By David Kempler
Not Quite Abyss-mal
Werner Herzog likes to explore the fringe and inject his opinions and philosophy into his projects. While that tactic might not work for most, it works very well for him. This time it's the plight of a death row inmate in Texas and the way the judicial system works, but most of it all, it's about the lives of those who have no power and how they can get chewed up. It's clear that they play a role in their own problems even if the deck is stacked against them.
His initial focus is on a triple homicide in Conroe, Texas, ten years ago. The focus spreads out from those involved in the crime to their friends and relatives and the relatives of the victims. Whether the accused Michael Perry is guilty does not seem very important to Herzog. He is more into showing us that the death penalty is a bizarre and heinous reaction to crime.
In this part of the world, specifically rural Texas, life appears to be something where many just go through the motions. No one seems very introspective about anything. They react to stimuli. This point is hammered home hard when we meet one fellow who relates a tale of when he was stabbed in the armpit with a long screwdriver. Some guy had a beef with him and stabbed him. He tells us in monotone how he pulled it out and that his greatest reaction to it all was to worry that he might be late for work. He didn't even seem particularly angry.
Against this backdrop, Herzog hopes to convey that the death penalty won't stop any of this. Much like the young man with the screwdriver was unfazed by his experience, society doesn't change in the slightest when one of their neighbors is executed.
As usual, I was entertained by Herzog, but I never felt anything. I experienced no outrage, nor thoughts that if one commits a crime, one must do the time. I was an observer. I expect more from Herzog than feeling like I am an abyss.
