Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: TED K [Berlinale 2021 - Virtual]

The texture of a biography of a known villain is made specific by a choice of perspective. Ted Kaczynski who became known as the Unabomber had an interesting approach to life yet one that was inherently his own. In director Tony Stone's "Ted K" [Panorama], Sharlto Copley takes his characterization to heart in a way he does all his roles. "Ted K" though has a inherent visual flair which makes it even more isolating. It is not blurry or incoherent but beautiful to look at in a skewed kind of way like an abstract horror film, where the lead character is writing his ideas as he goes. That is in a way the psychology of Ted here. Copley gets the look and approach down early and then rides it through. Kacsynski has many issues, but not any that are inherent defined beyond a strong a strained relationship with family, a distrust of authority and a supremely high IQ, a dangerous combination at times together. The film is populated with classical music (though one grunge angled scene definitely stays with the viewer simply because of its literal impact). Like Hunter S. Thompson, Kaczynski is on a journey to redefine the world even though he takes a dystopian, undeniably skewed approach. The manifesto worlds reflect through the film becoming more and more detached from reality per se. The irony is how he was caught which a reflective point of the meta attention he wanted despite living off the grid. The way Copley plays him (and as a producer, he had some say in the characterization) is pathetically proud and sad in a way but with a sense of righteousness in his own mind. The images of nature and his sanctuary in Montana being destroyed in certain ways is a trigger but there was already something wrong. The film also has a dreamy quality to the images with slows zooms and fade overs that pay homage to some of the greats while the score gives an inherent Carpenter vibe. B-

By Tim Wassberg