The Minus Man is a serial killer movie that does an interesting thing by making the killer a likable guy who moves into a quiet town out west, choses his victims at random, and uses nonviolent methods to kill them. And who better to cast in the lead than the baby faced, likable Owen Wilson, who does a very fine job in the lead. For awhile I thought this film would work. For about 2/3rds of its running length, it was the type of film I like to see: under the radar, leisurely paced, and nicely acted. But it decides to divert off this path and make statements about violence in America, which just doesn't work the way the story is told. There are also annoying scenarios that develop as well as the unnecessary introduction of two "ghost cops" who act as Wilson's conscience, though I'm not quite sure. I couldn't really figure out their point, as was the case with the entire film. Despite some nice performances from Owen Wilson and Brian Cox as the unhappily married man who rents a room to Wilson, this is a film that had potential but gets steered in the wrong direction.
**1/2 stars
