Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Bm2759 — 05 Aug 2013

10 minutes into this film I asked my friend "this is boring" to which they replied "maybe it leads to something, hopefully". Once the end rolls around everyone in the cinema started laughing; either because it was actually humorous or that it was so awful it became laughable.

As a cinephile I try to find the good in all films and make an effort to understand the plot (if any). This film truly is a struggle to sit through. It has been a very long time since I saw a film I wanted to walk out of (my friend paid so I felt obliged to stay).

There are so many bad aspects to this film. I understand what the filmmakers were trying to convey (at least I think I do) but it is so incoherent that you will find it difficult to appreciate this film. What I disliked is a follows: little dialogue which in two occasions cuts outs whilst music is only heard, long stares, awkward sexual encounters which serve no purpose, more long stares, scenes jump all over the place requiring the viewer to make sense of this mess, incoherent plot, even more long stares, I could go on.

The only positive aspect of this film was the violence. Particularly Ryan Gosling's fight scene which is stupidly interrupted as the camera changes to show a golden muay thai statue, then back and forth again.

I cannot recommend this to anyone. If you do see it and likewise hate it you only have yourself to blame.