Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Phil M — 04 Aug 2014

Nicolas Winding Refn's follow up to the 2011 hit DRIVE, ONLY GOD FORGIVES is darker, more violent and not for everyone. The script is basic for someone as talented as Refn but it didn't ruin the film for me, strange as that sounds. It did get a little slow-paced after the first 10 minutes but then builds up again when Scott Thomas shows up on-screen.

The film is beautifully shot throughout, whether close-up frame shots on Gosling or neon lit background scenes. It's kind of a hallucination in the first act with dream-like shots that worked really great, but drag on a bit too long. Cliff Martinez' score is the standout for me in this film, every note was on point for what was portrayed on-screen, especially the showdown one on one fight scene it really builds to a haunting climax.

The acting is formidable for what type of film was presented. Kristin Scott Thomas gives a scene-stealing performance as the sadistic, over-controlling mother. She owns this film. A lot of criticism went to Ryan Gosling because of his 17 lines of dialogue (yea I know, 17 lines for a lead actor) but for the character he was playing I felt he was excellent. As you see the mother-son relationship unfold it makes sense why Gosling is quiet and soft spoken. Vithaya Pansringarm was fairly good as Chang the no-nonsense cop with his own set of laws.

I really loved this film, it took a day or two to really set in for me but after going back and understanding what Refn was trying to show us, it grew on me alot. Highly recommended to those who don't mind a movie with a message that isn't straight forward.