Review of Only God Forgives (2013) by Ben V — 21 Dec 2013
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, Only God Forgives is the most batshit crazy film I've ever seen... Ryan Gosling's character is an underworld drug smuggler who runs a Thai boxing club as his "clean" business.
.. When his brother is murdered for killing a 16 year old prostitute, Julian (Gosling) is stuck in the position of avenging his brother's death, yet looking at the situation, he's not sure he should.
.. Cue THE most evil female character in 2013 cinema, Julian's mom (Kristin Scott Thomas). When she comes to collect her dead son's body, she does not care about circumstances, she wants her son's killer dead.
.. No matter how it's done. In the process lots of people die, in the most gory and violent ways possible, but showing it, leaving no room for the imagination... Making his previous effort Drive, look like a wordy Tarantino film, OGF has probably about 7 pages of dialog.
.. Meaning the viewer has to interpret what's going on as opposed to vocal cues... In what I believe is a partial ode to Asian Cinema, OGF pulls no punches, it's up in your face 1000%... Though I will always suggest Drive first for a taste of Nicolas Winding Refn at his best, Only God Forgives is a second step into his world.
.. For cinephiles, art majors and somebody looking for something WAY off the map, RECOMMENDED.
This review of Only God Forgives (2013) was written by Ben V on 21 Dec 2013.
Only God Forgives has generally received mixed reviews.
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