Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Renzo V — 22 Mar 2014
"REVENGE AND MOTHER ISSUES IN BANGKOK".
- 'Only God Forgives' is a 2013 art house crime film written and directed by Nicoloas Winding Refn (Drive). When I saw the trailer I was appealed by the colorful surroundings and the revenge-storyline, but now that I've seen it I do feel a bit disappointed. The film tells its tale with the usage of awkward flashes and has very little dialogue. I don't get swapped away by it. It feels too slow and too messy. With Ryan Gosling (Murder by Numbers, Drive) and a wonderful 'Peggy Bundy look-a-like' Kristin Scott Thomas (Dans la Maison, Mission; Impossible).
Julian (Gosling) and his brother Billy run a box club in Bangkok, to cover their drug traffic. One day, Billy rapes and kills an underage prostitute. He gets caught red-handed by the police. Lieutenant Chang allows the father of the girl to beat Billy up. But the man kills his daughter's murderer and as a punishment Chang chops off one of his arms with a katana.
Shortly after Julian learns about the death of his brother, their mother Crystal (Thomas) arrives from the States demanding him to find the person responsible for Billy's murder. Will he be able to grant her wish?
This review of Only God Forgives (2013) was written by Renzo V on 22 Mar 2014.
Only God Forgives has generally received mixed reviews.
Was this review helpful?
