The Honeymoon Killers (1970) [The Criterion Collection]

Martha Beck (Shirley Stoler) is sullen, overweight, and lonely. Desperate for affection, she joins Aunt Carrie’s Friendship Club and strikes up a correspondence with Ray Fernandez (Tony Lo Bianco), a charismatic smooth talker who could be the man of her dreams – or a degenerate con artist. Based on a shocking true story and shot in documentary-style black and white by the confident and inspired Leonard Kastle, in what would be his only foray into filmmaking, The Honeymoon Killers is a stark portrayal of the desperate lengths to which a lonely heart will go to find true love.

Biopic based on Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez, a couple dubbed The Lonely Heart Killers. Martha is an obese nurse who is a sad and pathetic individual who meets a con-man Raymond through a Loney Hearts club. He swindles women into falling in love with him and bilks them out of their fortunes. Martha and Raymond are meant for each other as they're both despicable, hateful people. This film is among the best biopics that I've seen. And aside from a few fairly campy moments, it's acted marvelously.The decision to shoot in black and white was brilliant. A lot of films get praised highly and don't warrant it. But this film deserves every accolade praised upon it.