Slasher (2004)

Overrated and overhyped

Charming and brutal

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

An interesting premise isn't done justice by this documentary about the ill-reputed world of car salesmen. Michael Bennett is known as "The Slasher" for swooping into dealerships and cutting prices in a bid to thin the lot in a hurry. One of his more interesting gimmicks gives customers the chance to buy an automobile for just $80. The film provides intriguing insights into how clever dealerships are always one step ahead of an unwitting public. But the whole thing seems so scripted. So much so, in fact, that the first time I watched "Slasher," I thought it was a mockumentary. On paper, Bennett is an interesting enough character to center a film around, but he doesn't translate as well as the filmmakers might have hoped. (Just a note... despite the title, the movie contains no gore).

I just finished watching this turd of a movie and want the last two hours of my life back. Seriously, all I learned was that the Slasher likes beer and he's annoying as fa-wk. Clearly the guy is tweaked out of his mind the vast majority of this movie. I could've made a better documentary about the people that hustle at car-washes. The only good part of the movie was laughing at all the morons that actually fell for the $88 car ploy,I kept expecting Eddie Murphy to jump out yelling "Hercules, Hercules" during a couple of these scenes. Only other scene of note, in between the mundane drivel like showing the Slasher take a urination, was the white guy that sounds JUST LIKE the Ladies Man. I kept expecting him to say, "Yeah that's nice" and ask for someone to pass him the Courvoisier. Next time I consider becoming a used cars salesman I'm going to have someone kick me in the larynx so maybe I can become as good as the Slasher at slashing the price. There are only two parts of the DVD that make it a little less of a time drain than watching it on TV. The extra's menu with the still of the as hat trying to "cut" the price list with the fake chainsaw was humorous, and the scene where the Slasher is clearly rolling a joint. That tells you how great the extra content on the DVD is...Despite the IFC seal of approval DON'T WATCH THIS POS!

Thoroughly enjoyed this John Landis documentary about a week in the life of a used car sales specialist. The film was produced by the Independent Film Channel and will probably run in perpetuity on IFC. You owe it to yourself to check out this little piece of Americana. The subject was so animated that it is difficult to believe that it wasn't an actor playing a role. I found several of the moments between the Slasher and his crew uproariously funny. Interesting to watch how much of the general public really expects to get something for nothing! Left with the impression that despite his flaws as a human being, the Slasher is simply trying to make a living and provide for his family, just like the rest of us.7.5 out of 10

I just saw this on the Independent Film Channel, and I really liked it in the same way that I enjoyed Glengarry Glenross, although GGGR was much better. Once you got past the main character's obvious superficial charisma (not always appealing charisma, btw) the film made clear the sad, thankless life a salesman leads, and that this guy was their "leader", a highly paid sales consultant, is astonishing. The movie was depressing and highly instructive, and very entertaining. Anyone who likes films with interesting characters, or anyone who has ever been in sales at any level, or even anyone who is in the market for a used car should enjoy this film.