Sin City was a film which gathered a cast of actors noted for their almost stereotyped roles and warped them to phenomenal effect and success. Mickey Rourke became a brute with a heart of gold and Clive Owen became a gritty and believable action hero. But the most astounding divergence from the norm came in Elijah Wood as Kevin. Up until this point, Elijah Wood was known as one of two things: the heroic Frodo, hobbit hero of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or the plucky if annoying youngster of countless nineties movies. So to have him cast as a mute, cannibalistic serial killer with a particular penchant for murdering prostitutes, whilst living alone in an unbelievably creepy house set out in the woods, was a somewhat a break from tradition. Wood's trademark gigantic staring eyes are used to magnificent effect here, piercing mercilessly into the eyes of his victims, opponents and the audience, making us all feel a lot less comfortable. Add to this that he is seemingly invincible and is left beaten and at the mercy of his own hungry pet wolf...having already been tortured and his limbs sawn off. Most disturbing of all though, is the fact that during all of this, he sits placidly, with a wide, blissful grin on his face.
