Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Matthew F. J — 06 May 2014

Well after much delays I finally got to see the bad seed everyone was chatting about! This is not your average film, slow, weird as hell at first look, very graphic & quiet, this film is more experimental & underground than broad audience orientated! Hard to fathom, this film remain nevertheless visually fascinating! The story is a little thin, and the acting quite wooden.

... but it all seems to be part of the director's plan to convey the frustration felt by the main character. The cinematography is beyond exceptional , camera work is incredible and very precise. Every shot, every plan scream symbolism and true research! Definitely far from the beautiful Drive, this film is closer to Valhalla Rising for those familiar with Nicoles Winding-Refn filmography.

Only God Forgives appear to me as one of the most underground and challenging film of 2013 but thank god some people out there are trying different things and search for a new narrative way in their films.

Most films are very staright forward and linear, this one requires many viewings to appreciate the details and trully get to understand what this film is about. Frustration and anger are usually perceived by people screaming at each others or fighting and killing.

In this one it's all coming from the inside, it's all locked inside the hero's eyes and his stiff body language. The character of the mother is a superb example of brilliant character writing and a once in a lifetime performance for an actress.

I have seen this film maybe more than ten times by now and believe me it all make sense, it's all there in symbols and suggestions. Audiences are so used to be treated like idiots, for once this film tells you to look further, look in the light, the colors, the soundtrack, the cinematography, let yourself be taken on a journey because in the end as I told before it really make sense and will definitely stick with you for a long time.

Rare are the films that dare to push the limits of a viewer so far and so deep into human feelings, but unfortunately few people will get to the core of it.