Suppose this review uncovers the truth behind Kill Me, Deadly? … Suppose it doesn’t. The 2015 noir parody-satire film stars Dean Lemont as Charlie Nickels, the hardboiled, alcoholic private investigator who is called in for an anonymous threat to Lesley-Anne Down as Lady Clairmont, the high-society socialite and owner of the precious Bengal Diamond. From here, the film checks the boxes of every 1940s noir trope in a subtle and hilarious nod to a long-coveted and nearly forgotten genre.
Charlie’s investigation takes him all over Los Angeles, following clues that his secretary, Ida, played by Lynn Odell, uncovers, since she’s the true brains behind the operation. After meeting Mona Livingston, played by Kirsten Vangsness, a late-night club singer, the path isn’t so clear to Charlie, who falls head over heels for a dame he hardly knows.
Bill Robens’ play debuted in 2009 at Theater of NOTE in Los Angeles, California, to much praise and ran the gamut of sold-out inaugural showings. Six years later, it was adapted into a feature film starring the same leads, with Darrett Sanders attached to direct what would be his first feature film. While other parodies are critiqued or rely on bits more than the narrative of the film, Kill Me, Deadly pairs these two elements of story together without losing sight of the plot.
Parody films are a dying breed, a niche of comedy that requires an understanding of genre and pop culture. These movies pull characters, storylines, and themes to make fun of something the viewer is already familiar with. Researching these could be great for media education, while this example of Kill Me, Deadly acts as an analysis, critique, and modern version of noir. This film comes on the heels of the heyday of the parody genre, featuring other titles like Superfast!, Superhero Movie, Not Another Teen Movie, The Naked Gun, and Scary Movie franchises, to name a few. Recommended.
Why should libraries add this film to their collection?
Kill Me, Deadly is an independent film with a huge impact. There’s much to be unpacked, and with the current state of film, it could serve as an introduction to older genres. Comedy is in a dire state, and this film offers a new twist on a genre, parodies, that most film-goers grew up on. Adding it to the collection would pair well with any Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett recommendation.
Is Kill me, Deadly appropriate for adding to a noir film series?
Noir films tend to be serious, with little humor and very adult themes. Kill Me, Deadly works to alleviate these intense themes and even critiques the twists and turns that noir films are known for. Often male-dominated, Kill Me, Deadly offers a different look at the omniscient, one-step-ahead private dick by making him second to his own secretary, who does all the work for him, taking none of the credit. Beyond just this, the film would help tie together what makes a noir: the mystery, narration, scandal, and character study. It would work well in a film series of noir movies.
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