When Drive came out in 2011, the trailers made it look like a Ryan Gosling led Fast and the Furious type thriller. That is not what it was. So audiences were left either enjoying the soft-spoken crime drama or wanting a refund. No one was going to make that mistake again when Gosling and director Nicola Winding Refn reteamed for Only God Forgives. Gosling plays an American drug smuggler in Bangkok who attempts to avenge his brother’s death, but gets caught up with a badass cop (Vithaya Pansringarm) bent on justice.
The film fits the same quiet and violent feel of Drive with Gosling hardly speaking throughout the entire film. The actor, who is better known for his rom-com charm, has a number of these dark indies on his filmography building credibility next to his dreamy status. With that being said, Only God Forgives is not his best work. The mystery surrounding his character comes across as simplicity. The character, Julian, who is supposedly this troubled soul, just seems dim. Pansringarm, on the other hand, gives a strong performance and carries the film and the complexities that are meant to play out. Kristin Scott Thomas, who plays Julian’s mother, also stands out.
The bright lights and dingy streets of Bangkok prove to be a compelling backdrop for the film. The setting plays out like a character as so much is explained through the surroundings. Sure, the long karaoke scenes are slow, but that’s another product of setting and they prove quite relevant thematically. The film does a lot right with a clean narrative and compelling story. This isn’t the kind of movie that leaves you with a smile on your face, but being advertised in an honest way has the movie giving you the twisted crime story you would expect.
Each film earns either zero, a half or a full arrow in five categories. The categories are Acting, Writing/Directing, Emotion, Innovation and Overall Impression. The arrows are added up to equal the full score.
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