Back in the 1978, Joyce McKinney, former beauty queen, was arrested and put on trial for the kidnapping and rape of Kirk Anderson. I already have my doubts about her sanity since this guy is fat, ugly and infused with the teachings of Mormon which states one will burn in hell for having sex before marriage. She admits to having a varied and full sex life before meeting him, so finding out an answer to this first quandary might have been interesting. Before this 'crime,' she says they were engaged and then he simply vanished. She hired a private investigator who tracked him on a Mormon mission in London. She went there, by private charter with a close friend and a hired body guard, to get him away from the brain washing clutches of his brethren and into a romantic setting to consummate their love. As to the charges of kidnap and rape, she says he simply walked into her waiting car, and as for rape, she laughing states, 'you can't put a marshmallow into a parking meter.'
In any case, the British tabloids found this an ideal case to milk to its fullest extent for the titillation of their readership. And it's continued for the last 30 some odd years. 'Tabloid' is a platform for both sides to tell their stories and to rekindle interest in McKinney's past. Actually, it is not quite both sides of the story since the 'victim' would not speak. He has remained in the bosom of the Utah church and wishes to leave this tawdry episode behind him. In his stead, we hear from the pilot she hired to fly her and her crew to England (he seemed unbiased and unemotional), an ex-Mormon to add the religious perspective, and a tabloid reporter brimming with venom for her and taking liberties with language and facts (chains seem a better word to use than rope, for instance). Ultimately, not seeking out more people to add information and their opinions in this case may not matter. It's the story itself that we want to hear about -- undying love, a quest half way around the world to get her man back, and romantic fulfillment OR a sex worker's obsession with a nebbish, seduction at gunpoint and fleeing from the law. Either story appeals to audiences.
Be prepared to sit through long interviews, all shot in the same room with gray background. That's Morris' style. It's all about letting people; if they talk long enough, they'll say something strange -- is Morris' style. And yes, they do say very funny things in their honest approach to telling the true story. So these four interview subjects get to say whatever they want without challenge or probing. The visuals are tabloid photos, a smidgen of animation and a bit of film footage. We are see the exterior of McKinney's home where she resides to this day. McKinney says she participated in the film to expose the Mormons as the dangerous threat they are in a very serious way. She still hopes to some day do just that. It also seems doubtful McKinney will find the peace from 33 years of being hounded by the paparazzi she seeks because this film will bring them back.
Tabloid
Director: Errol Morris
Subject: Joyce McKinney
Rating: R
Opening July 15 at the Embarcadero Cinema in San Franisco.
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