Review of Seven Psychopaths (2012) by Gimly M — 25 Nov 2013

The movie is incredibly convoluted, so it's hard to know what to say that definitely won't end up being a spoiler, so maybe it would be better if I just stuck to talking about the actors, as it's a crazy bunch of them for McDonagh to bring together.

Don't believe the trailer, and certainly don't believe the posters. Seven Psychopaths has nothing to do with either of them.

Olga Kurylenko (Max Payne, Quantum of Solace) is shamefully under-used, but at least Martin McDonagh acknowledges that his film's female characters are not a focus point, and their weakness is his own failing (in a rather surreal way). I've adored her ever since I first saw her in Hitman, and was absolutely blown away by her Centurion performance. Though she does practically nothing here, it's always fantastic to see her get more work (particularly in such a great film).

Woody Harrelson (Natural Born Killers, A Scanner Darkly, No Country for Old Men, Defendor, Zombieland) has also been one I've kept my eye on for some time now. He's a believable psychopath, a strong actor, a funny dude and he has great presence. I've yet to be annoyed by him. Ever.

Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Choke, Frost/Nixon, Moon, Iron Man 2, Cowboys & Aliens) has only recently gained my appreciation, but fuck is he great. I'd seen him and loved him in so many things before, but I never drew the connection. Now in Seven Psychopaths, I feel he has his strongest role to date, moreover, he is certainly the greatest character of the film.

Abbie Cornish (Limitless, Sucker Punch) is Australian. I'm Australian. So there's that... No, she's great, I just never really locked her in as a favourite like I do with so many others. Again, in Seven Psychopaths, that's not fault of her own. The script allows little room for women, which is unfortunate, but well handled. She gets much more screen time that Olga Kurylenko, but it would still have been good to get more of her.

Christopher Walken (Pulp Fiction, The Deer Hunter, Sleepy Hollow, Kill the Irishman) is the sort of guy that I'd watch a movie just 'cause he's in it, and I don't even know why.

Collin Farrell (Ballykissangel, Daredevil, S.W.A.T., Alexander, In Bruges, Fright Night, Total Recall [2012]) meshes with me spectacularly poorly. It's hardly like I hate the guy or anything. He's a perfectly adequate actor with a great accent, I guess I just never got the hype. He manages to be the star of Seven Psychopaths, but have the show stolen out from under him by pretty much everyone else on screen.

It's rare that I give a film a rating of 80% or more, so if that means anything to you at all, then I implore thee, go watch Seven Psychopaths, it's well worth the price.

84%.

-Gimly.