Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Vithaya Pansringarn, Kristin Scott Thomas
Plot: Set in Bangkok, American
expatriate and drug-smuggler Julian is pressured by his mother to avenge the
death of his brother which leads him on a journey that forces him to face his
inner deamons.
“The truth and nothing but the truth”: In 2011, I was caught up by surprise with "Drive". The slick
and stylish movie that combined the best of Michael Mann with what seemed to be
a terrific update and improvement on "The Driver" (1978). The movie
worked in every level and prompted me to name it "Best Movie of
2011". As such, the expectations for a new Refn-Gosling collaboration were
sky high.
So here I am, writing the review of "Only
God Forgives", 4 days after seeing it...after everything has sunken
in...after having a clear opinion about it.
With a storyline that's more complicated to
follow than the family tree of the kid from the dueling banjos scene in
"Deliverance" (1972), Refn delivers a movie that displays a constant
tense Oedipal environment with an outline of implied incest that makes the
viewer uncomfortable from the beginning. While this sets the tone of the whole
movie, the director successfully combines them with the other key values and
themes approached in the movie, such as the perception of justice, masculine
vs. feminine roles, revenge and religion. The conflicting interpretations of
all of the aforementioned aspects by both Julian (Gosling) and Chang
(Pansringarn) set the tone for the action.
Heavy on the symbolism and relying more on
image than on actual dialogue, the movie successfully conveys it's message
through it's excellent cinematography storytelling method that somewhat
reassembles what has been seen in most of David Lynch's movies and the
claustrophobic atmosphere seen in "The Shinning" (1980). This is complemented
with the equally tense soundtrack by Cliff Martinez.
Based on this premise, I do believe that the
movie sets the tone for multiple intrepretations. I, for one, perceive the
scenes that occur within the dark and red rooms (excluding the pub) to actually
reflect Julian's subconscious, where he deals with his very own insecurities,
his unresolved issues with several women and the inner eagerness for justice.
Still, it's around Julian's character where half of the problems I found
with this movie lie. First, I do not perceive Ryan Gosling as an adequate
choice for the role of Julian, having preferred to see Joseph Gordon-Levitt
interpret
the lead role. Gosling simply doesn't cut it here and most of the
sequences where an idle state is required from the character, he simply keeps
doing what he did before. The second problem is in the treatment of the
character of Julian itself. While the relationship with his mother Crystal
(Scott-Thomas, in a terrific performance which is clearly one of the high
points of the movie) is very well developed, there's a large absence of the
development of the character itself. No space, nor room for that, with only
hints and subtle traces of what Julian really is.
(SPOILERS AHEAD!) The second issue I have with this movie is the conclusion and the
catharsis vehicle presented in the screen and this is intertwined with Chang's
character. The character is a God-like figure, seeking justice and revenge
(according to his own interpretation). A bushido-like entity that uses a blade
to restore equilibria. While one can easily understand the importance of the
character, the ending of the movie proves to be unsatisfying since there are
indications that his vision and interpretation of justice and right
are the correct ones and that he's above judgement.
After watching the movie and while discussing it,
a comparison was drawn by a friend of mine, between Anton
(Javier Bardem) from "No Country for Old Men" (2007) and Chang.
I truly agree that the both are driven by similar principles and I even believe
that if a similar fate had been applied to Chang, the movie would have been
more satisfying.
Moreover, even as not opposing to the excessive use of Thai, it would
have been helpful to have some subtitles on the karaoke sequences as I do
believe the lyrics may include some clues as towards what motivates the
character. Again, my interpretation of those sequences is of a
religious figure, a superior entity that is addressing its followers
and promoting not only allegiance but enlightening the way of
its actions. (END OF SPOILERS!)
"You
have proved to be a real human being...and a real hero"
In conclusion and focusing on the criticism the movie has been subjected
to, I do not feel that the violence is extreme or hardcore but well included in
the story, leading to the conclusion that violence only draws more violence.
The pace of the movie is in my opinion borderline adequate, but not one of the
negative downsides in which the viewer should dwell.
“Money-Shot”: (SPOILERS AHEAD!) Despite not
being consistent with my review, the torture and execution of Byron by Chang
remains one the best sequences in the movie. (END
OF SPOILERS!)
Bottom-Line: 7/10.
As long as you're not expecting "Drive II" or a Ryan Gosling movie
and keep an open mind towards what you'll be seeing, it's an enjoyable ride
that requires you to think and a second viewing to fully understand and absorb
what happened on those 90 minutes.
But of course, this is just my opinion,
I could be wrong…
