Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Angelo V — 17 May 2015

Depending on what you're looking for, this film can be praised as art or it can just be a disappointment, and if you're expecting another "Drive", then you'll be disappointed. This film is pure art! It's very dark, stylistic, makes violence beautiful, and it's not a film to enjoy for just entertainment.

If you're expecting a Tarantino styled thriller, then you'll be disappointed. I'm a big fan of filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, his style is a cross between David Lynch, the Coen Brothers, and Michael Mann rolled into one.

And this film went the David Lynch route, it's like if Lynch directed "Enter the Dragon" but with less action and a lot less dialogue, but mainly visually telling with a nightmare/dream tone.

Ryan Gosling's role in the film is very similar to his Driver character from Refn's other film "Drive", but a lot more quiet and a lot more psychotic. What keeps this film going is the light and tone, and the story isn't the best story written, but it's the style of the film that makes it watchable.

But I may warn you that if you expect more dialogue and action, then you'll be disappointed. Watch it for the sake of looking at an art painting.