Chasing the Light, Oliver Stone’s memoir, provides readers with an intriguing glimpse into the director’s mind. While the book showcases Stone’s point of view, it also unintentionally reveals some interesting aspects of his film Natural Born Killers. Stone only mentions the movie twice in his memoir, but the way he frames it suggests that he single-handedly created the film, when in reality it was a collaboration between him and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino.
According to reports, Tarantino’s experience with Natural Born Killers led him to decide to direct every other picture he wrote. Pulp Fiction, which premiered a few months before Killers, solidified his position as a director. Tarantino was known as a sought-after script doctor, and his own screenplays were highly valued for their snappy dialogue and amoral action. One of his scripts, True Romance, was directed by Tony Scott, whose sensationalist approach made him a perfect fit for the lurid material.
Stone acquired the Natural Born Killers script from Tarantino and approached it with his signature energy. The finished film showcases a complete inversion of Stone’s prior works, with a surreal and visually stunning portrayal of America’s dark side. The movie’s color schemes and stylistic choices are a departure from the brutal realism of Stone’s previous films like Platoon and Salvador.
However, the film struggles to find a balance between its aesthetic choices and its social critiques. Stone attempts to indict American culture’s obsession with violence, but his choice of script, which leans more towards celebrating violence than condemning it, undermines his message. The movie includes scenes that reference Vietnam and indigenous people, adding to the overall chaotic and disjointed feel of the film.
The performances in Natural Born Killers are lively but not necessarily compelling. Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of Mickey is disliked by some viewers, possibly because his character comes across as a jackass. Juliette Lewis’s performance is energetic, but it lacks depth, and Robert Downey Jr.’s role doesn’t resonate as strongly as it could have. The standout performance comes from Tommy Lee Jones as a prison warden, who delivers the level of knowing ridicule that the material deserves.
One aspect of the film that receives universal praise is its soundtrack, a remarkable collage curated by Stone and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. The soundtrack combines Reznor’s music with classical, electronic, and post-punk tracks, creating a unique sonic experience. The inclusion of L7’s “Shitlist” multiple times adds to the film’s grungy atmosphere.
Despite the mixed reception of Natural Born Killers, Oliver Stone remains a great and important filmmaker. His collaboration with Brian De Palma, represented by the nod to Scarface in Killers, highlights the talent that Hollywood seems to have overlooked in recent years.
In conclusion, Chasing the Light provides insights into Oliver Stone’s creative process and sheds light on the making of Natural Born Killers. While the film has its flaws, it remains a significant entry in Stone’s filmography. The memoir and the movie serve as reminders of Stone’s unique perspective and his ability to tackle controversial subjects with a distinct visual style.
