Rating: 
Summary: A strong mix of true crime and political commetary
Review: Citizen X is a deceptively simple film that tells the true story of the Soviet Union's most notorious seriel killer, Andrie Chikatilo. Played by a chillingly nondescript Jeffrey DeMunn, Chikatilo kills 52 people (including children) over an 8 year time span. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the film (and the murders themselves) is that Chikatilo was not some Hannibal Lectorish genius nor was he a Ted Bundy-type who hid his evil behind a facade of normalcy. Instead (in the film, at least) he comes across as a rather pathetic man whose guilt would be obvious to just about anyone who came across him. However, as the movie explains, Chikatilo is lucky enough to be committing his crimes in the Soviet Union; the leaders of which refuse to acknowledge that any citizen of a truly communist state could still be so sick as to commit such terrible crimes against his fellow workers. This is not an obviously political movie and it certainly never makes the mistake of distorting the facts for the sake of propaganda. However, it does carry a very important subtext -- i.e., when a society refuses to acknowledge the importance of the flawed individual over the faceless and nameless mass, men like Chikatilo emerge from the shadows of that society's willfull ignorance. (One is reminded, in fact, of how the search for Jack the Ripper was hindered by the Victorian sensibility that the murderer had to be the member of a certain gender and social class.)The police detective who eventually captured Chikatilo (with little help whatsoever from his superiors) is well-played by Stephen Rea who brings a low-key sadness to the role. Eschewing the stereotypical "supercop" role that seems to show up in most recent police procedurals, Rea instead emphasizes his character's innate decency. When he becomes obsessed with finding and capturing Chikatilo, it is not portrayed as some sort of cat-and-mouse melodrama but instead the reaction of an inherently good man who cannot sit idly by. In perhaps the film's most riveting moment, Rea shocks his superiors by breaking down into tears when they refuse his request for more aid. Its an unexpectedly human moment and its impact is devastating, especially when Rea's superiors respond to his unexpected emotions with the same disbelief given to the idea that the Soviet Union could spawn a seriel killer. The film is very well directed by Chris Gerolmo who, for the most part, resists the temptation to sensationalize the crimes or play for cheap reactions. He emphasizes the starkness of communist Russia and supplies the film with an even pace that, while never boring, will probably catch viewers looking for a schlocky thriller off guard. Obviously, all of this could add up to a pretty heavy and depressing film and Gerolmo, smartly, does provide the story with some much needed comic relief by casting Donald Sutherland as Rea's only ally in the communist leadership. Sutherland gives an excellent performance (for which I believe he won an emmy) and brings a slyly sarcastic touch to many of his lines. Rea and Sutherland make a likeable team and their scenes together have a warmth that this chilly film needs. As well, Max Von Sydow shows up in one of the roles he seems to specialize in; a cameo as a psychologist who provides a state-forbidden profile of Chikatilo. Von Sydow does a great job; as does the rest of the film.
Rating: 
Summary: Simply Stunning
Review: "Citizen X" is probably the best film about a serial killer, ever made. It doesn't glorify the killer (as does the revolting "Henry:Portrait of a Serial Killer"), nor does it turn the killer into a Luciferian, James Bond-style super villain (as in the excellent "The Silence of the Lambs"). What it does depict is a dogged investigator doing his best, against all odds, to stop a twisted, demented, savage (but all too human) murderer from practiceing his craft.
But, what truly sets this film apart are the uniformally excellent performances. Donald Sutherland does some of his best work as the local militia (this being the former Soviet Union read "militia" as "police") commander, trying to balance good police work against political expediancy. Max von Sydow is brilliant as a psychiatrist who, unwittingly, stumples across the concept of psychological profiling without ever having met anyone from the FBI (or even Jodie Foster, for that matter). Joss Ackland is very good as a nasty, opportunistic Soviet commisar with a secret; as is Imelda Staunton as the investigators long suffering, understanding (but always believable) wife.
The ultimate praise, however, must go to the actors who actually play the cat and mouse in the film. Jeffrey DeMunn, as Andrei Chikatilo (still the most "successful" serial killer known), is totally believable as a man who, in the blink of an eye, shifts from pathetic, brow-beaten milquetoast to savage , amoral predator. And, finally, as Detective Burakov, Stephen Rea
is simply stunning. The moment, when Sutherland tells him that his techniques have been taught at the FBI academy (after years of seclusion behind the Iron Curtain) is absolutely shattering. Reas performance is one of the finest pieces of acting ever put on screen... TV or film...bar none.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!!
Review: This movie is so excellent but so upsetting, I truly don't know the words to use. I can't review it. It was so powerful, so realistic, so horrifying... This is a must see movie.
Rating:
Summary: An intelligent thriller
Review: In this excellent movie originally produced for HBO, the violence is fleeting and the emphasis is on characterization and interesting details (life in the former Soviet Union, how to mount a criminal investigation with virtually no resources, and so on). Actors Stephen Rea, Donald Sutherland, and Jeffrey DeMunn paint involving characters that are both vivid and understated at the same time, as does Max Von Sydow in the few scenes where he appears. Finally, don't let the full-frame composition scare you off: this movie was originally produced to appear on a TV screen, so the image seen is NOT a cropped pan-and-scan variation of the original. This IS the original movie the way it was meant to be seen.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing acting.
Review: While the movie took some artistic license in adapting Robert Cullen's "The Killer Department," the book about the search for the Russian serial killer of more than 50 people, the overall quality of this movie was astonishing. Not only Sutherland, who received much deserved awards, but Rea himself, the always-wonderful Max von Sydow, Joss Ackland (the man you love to hate) and Jeffrey Munn were riveting. Due to the integrity (i.e., emotional honesty and passion) of the actors, this movie is very hard to watch (most of the victims were children and the characters respond authentically). Watch, especially, for the fabulous chemistry between Festilov and Burakov. Everyone involved did their job.
Rating:
Summary: First rate drama
Review: This has everything you could ask from a film; excellent performances with characters you really end up caring for, an interesting plot and a background that really illustrates the feel of a time and a place. It's a flawless movie really, and it should be seen.
Rating:
Summary: the best of the best
Review: This film is excellent in all point of view, the work of Donald Shuterland and Stephen Rea was suberb!, and also the story is really shocking, mainly because it's a Real Story! I absolutely recommend this DVD for all lovers of thrillers, and specially for serial killer fans
Rating:
Summary: Terrific performances bring this shocking true story to life
Review: I have always been a fan of true crime drama. Many leave much to be desired in the areas of writing and acting. "Citizen X" is not one of those movies. Superb acting and writing brings this unbelievably reprehensible tale to life. In my opinion this movie blows away "Silence of the Lambs." No fictional movie can ever match this true story! As the cover says, "52 murders in 8 years." During the 8 years, Stephen Rea chases Citizen X, a prolific serial killer that stalks young victim in Russia. This is relatively a current event, as the story ends in 1990, a time when Communist Russia did not want to acknowledge a serial killer existed their country. This enabling denial permitted some of the most heinous murders in the world. Donald Southerland, Max Von Sydow and Citizen X give outstanding performances. I recommend this movie highly. This refers to the DVD, which is Full-Screen (Originally produced for HBO).
Rating:
Summary: Citizen X
Review: By watching this movie I realized the Following: The sickness of the mind of a serial killer in real life, is greater than any movie can present. 52 dead women and children! Jesus Christ!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Haunting!
Review: This movie is exquisitely made. The acting jobs were superb. It is truely terrifying that the killer looked so normal yet was such a monster. It also outraged me that the government made no efforts to help the investigator catch this monster. An absolutely fantastic and haunting movie.
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