Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Foxgrove — 08 Aug 2013

Nicholas Winding Refn is fast becoming a director whose singular style is ensuring that a film carrying his signature is a must see. His last film 'Drive' was a stylised exercise in concise and exciting story telling, great acting and visuals at there cinematic best. Only God Forgives is an exercise in style for style's sake. This is not to dismiss it out of hand as I believe it to be a better film than most critics have suggested. The colour palette of the photography is very striking as is the art-direction. Performances are fantastic. In a role that is totally suited to him, Gosling is once again a commanding presence even with minimal dialogue. Kristin Scott Thomas excitingly cast against type is just a knockout. She plays the avenging mother with a ferocious tenacity that is worthy of Lady Macbeth.

As with Drive the wonderful score plays its part and here integrates itself into the success of the overall film better than does the dialogue. In fact it is the screenplay which is the film's weakest card. The slight plot is full of ambiguities and whilst the overall thrust of the film is hypnotic this has more to do with the acting and setting than the story itself. The film is in fact verbally challenged.

There is also much violence, some of which is gratuitous, and one scene in particular had me squirming in my seat. The conclusion, however, is refreshingly satisfactory.