John Grisham’s argument in his essay
Unnatural Killers is absolutely nothing new.
Grisham criticizes
Oliver Stone for making heroes out of Mickey and Mallory Knox, in Stone’s film,
Natural Born Killers. Grisham should realize that,
at his core, he is neither a
psychologist nor a
social commentator, but a
lawyer and a politician. Artists have
come under fire for their art being misconstrued since the use of
Bill Haley’s "Rock This Town" in the movie
The Wild Bunch.
Oliver Stone’s
Natural Born Killers is a
satire with a twist of irony, in the fact that he critiques the media’s
bloodlust by making a movie about a couple that gains infamy and become
pop-culture icons, through
media coverage, during a three week killing spree. The best way to look at the strengths and weaknesses of
Grisham’s argument is to look at the
psychological impact upon Ben Darras and his subsequent influence over Sarah Edmondson, the
suggested parallels between the
movie and the
two murders, and by answering Grisham’s
question on
whether or not an artist should take responsibility for his or her art.
Grisham has a
basic understanding of the underlying reasons behind the
murders, but what he states gives an
incomplete picture to the reasons for the murders.
Andy Warhol once said that everyone will have
fifteen minutes of fame. With the emergence of
audience driven
live programming, everyone has a chance to be on
television like the
celebrities that they so avidly watch. This idea of gaining fame through
media coverage has been repeated
countless times, especially concerning violent crimes.
Ben’s father was an
alcoholic, and most likely
abusive. Ben also had a history of
drug use and
psychiatric treatment. He may have had a need for attention, and, possibly,
an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Ben saw similarities between himself and the character on screen and decided to idolize him,
to become him.
Sarah’s similar history of
drug use and psychiatric treatment would indicate a weak personality, and being
susceptible to the influences of another person.
This would explain why she needed to be
thoroughly coaxed by Ben to commit robbery and murder. It would also explain why she hastily shot the convenience store clerk,
hoping to kill her, and then robbing the store after going back to the car and
being told to do so by Ben.
Grisham makes many references to
Oliver Stone’s film,
Natural Born Killers. He makes
some relevant points to the movie, but he makes more
inferences than actual facts. Natural Born Killers is,
contrary to Grisham’s beliefs, is a satire. If, as
Grisham states, a satire is supposed to
make fun of what is being attacked, then
Natural Born Killers is a definitely
dark satire with a
deep and sound social message. Apparently, there is also a strong
demonic theme that occurs every few minutes.
Were this true, it would make perfect sense that Sarah saw a demon in the convenience store. If the murders were inspired by the movie, it would make sense that Ben
encouraged Sarah, as Mickey
apparently encouraged Mallory, to commit murder.
Unfortunately, Mickey did not urge Mallory to kill. Also, Mickey and Mallory did not
kill random people as they went along. The Mickey and Mallory only killed people that gave them trouble, such as
cops and
rednecks. Sarah and Ben’s killings were
random and
unprovoked, with the only similarity being
theft. If the
movie was being blamed for the crimes, then they must have a
different copy of the film, because Mickey and Mallory were a team in
everything they did together, where Ben and Sarah
turned on each other as soon as they got caught.
Should an artist take responsibility for his or her work? They should not have to take
responsibility for the acts of strangers. Many
artists have one group or another after him or herself, if the artist writes
controversial lyrics.
Eminem is a prime example of this type of response. Though one may find this out simply by listening to a majority of his songs, Eminem’s songs are completely
satirical, and set an
anti-example for the listeners. The lyrics in
Eminem’s latest CD have many references to violence against homosexuals, and the
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation are currently protesting his latest album.
Eminem does, however, make some
good social statements in his latest CD. In his song "
The Way I Am," Eminem makes reference to the shooting at
Columbine by saying, "And they blame it on
Marilyn (Manson)/ And the
heroin/ But where are the
parents at/
And look where it’s at/
Middle America,
now it’s a tragedy/ Now it’s so sad to see an upper class city." (Eminem)
Marilyn Manson was blamed by the media for Columbine, merely because the students in the
Trenchcoat Mafia had his music in their collections, much like the media blaming
Richard Ramirez’s killings on rock music.
Grisham made a very
hasty decision in writing this essay. There are more
holes in his statements concerning the
psychological impact upon Ben Darras and his subsequent influence over Sarah Edmondson, the suggested
parallels between the movie and the two murders, and by answering
Grisham’s question on
whether or not an artist should take responsibility for his or her art than in a large block of
Swiss cheese. Unfortunately,
Hollywood will not stop making movies like
Natural Born Killers, since
America loves violence. Also, the
entertainment industry will keep catering to the lowest common denominator, so as to improve ticket sales.