Review of Lost River (2015) by Matthew F. J — 27 May 2015

Gosling's first film is filled with major references to masters such as David Lynch, Nicolas Winding-Refn, Mario Bava and other immensely talented directors with a clear visual style. For a first film I must say I'm very impressed.

Although the story is almost relied to the second plan, optioning to put the visuals, the music and the 'vibe' before it, is a rare effort that I will salute immensely. Why not having a visual experience purely and simply treated with a story in the background, for once, since the opposite happens all the time.

Here the colors and the visual effects are more relevant about the characters who all seems like modern ghosts, lost in a town no longer alive, to linger around the time of a last song before they drive away.

This is the core of the film, a visual poem filled with intensity, beautified images, a superb sense of shot composition, a cinematography to die for and some very interesting acting performances. In the right line of Only God Forgives and other neo-noir type of films, this little gem does not shine for it's storyline but must be praised for the treatment of ultimate style over matter preferred here by Gosling.

What an experience for the senses.... unbelievable from start to finish. In my eyes a gem of magnificence in this sometimes dull film landscape. I'm looking forward to his next directorial outtake.

... Mister Gosling is definitely a talented you man.