Review of Nil by Mouth (1997) by Cory T — 18 Sep 2008
Gary Oldman has bitter hatred for his father, that much is obvious. He has made a film about the generational, timeless issue of abuse. Why do husbands abuse their wives? Usually, simply, because their fathers did.
The performances in this bleak and damp film are spellbinding and raw. Ray Winstone does gives a wonderful potrayal of an evil man, a bitter man, a man so consumed by imbedded hatred that he cannot function without alcohol and sudden bursts of violence. The film is set in the dank and cold working-class suburbs of South London, where the natives accent is so thick, you need to listen closely to fully catch everything they say. At a distance, it almost seems like the characters are speaking in another language that just sounds like English; this is actually to the film's benefit. Through the thick diction, the characters seem to inhabit this bitter and brutal world all by themselves, apart from a caring civilization.
"Nil by Mouth" is a film laden with truths, painful and ethereal. I respect Oldman's film, though I never want to- nor need to- see it again. His point is clearly made. My heart goes out to him, and I hope he realizes the saving grace the cinema has provided him in releasing his contempt, shining unwelcomed light on an issue many quickly turn from.
This film speaks louder than he ever could.
This review of Nil by Mouth (1997) was written by Cory T on 18 Sep 2008.
Nil by Mouth has generally received very positive reviews.
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