Review of Wild Tales (2014) by Matthew S — 05 Jul 2015

Damian Szifron's Wild Tales is exactly that -- a collection of over-the-top darkly comical vignettes about vengeance. Each of them are brilliantly conceived and entertaining. My personal favorite is the last one set in a lavish wedding.

It is difficult to find fault with anything about this movie. My reason for not fully enjoying this unique film is it left me unsatisfied. Each story is so well made, I think I would have enjoyed it more if had been one Wild Tale instead several short ones.

At least three of the tales had enough substance to have been developed into a feature length film. But that is not the point Of Szifron's film. He is interested in creating a film that hints at societal/cultural satire, but is fully vested in exploring how "normal" people can be pushed to the brink of insanity when realty takes a sharp and unexpected turn.

Sometimes those turns are slower -- pressure builds. Other times, it assaults the characters all at once. I get it. I just wanted more.