Only God Forgives | Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa | Man Of Steel | The Lone Ranger | The Phantom Of The Opera
Only God Forgives
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"Drive was going to feel like really, really good cocaine and Only God Forgives will then be very strong acid," says director Nicolas Winding Refn on the commentary to his latest team-up with Ryan Gosling. While Drive had a solid B-movie plotline to adhere to, Only God Forgives is an untethered beast, with stronger connections to Refn's earlier, obtuse, expressionistic films such as Valhalla Rising.
With Gosling as a drug-dealing, Muay Thai-kickboxing gym owner looking to avenge his brother's death, it certainly starts off conventionally. But it soon becomes apparent, with its unfixed relationship with reality and generally hallucinogenic mood (the acid analogy is dead on) that Refn and Gosling have no interest in going down a well-worn path. It's one of the most divisive movies of the year and, unusually, both the lovers and haters have valid points. On the plus side there's Kristin Scott Thomas's breathtaking against-type turn as Gosling's horrorshow mother who instigates most of the copious bloodshed, and Thai actor Vithaya Pansringarm also impresses as a sort of angel of death cop who metes out the gory justice. The music and cinematography are exceptional too. But it's also detached and cold. Gosling seems to be having some sort of bet with himself to see how long he can stay still on camera (he's like a cardboard cutout in some scenes) and the meandering plot may test the patience of some.
Blu-ray & DVD, Lionsgate
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
Alan's move to the big screen is kept low-key and, more importantly, very funny.
Blu-ray & DVD, StudioCanal
Man Of Steel
All the things you love about Superman, bar the spectacular action, have been removed and replaced with, well, not much really.
Blu-ray & DVD, Warner
The Lone Ranger
This year's John Carter, inasmuch as it's a perfectly enjoyable blockbuster that everyone had it in for.
Blu-ray & DVD, Disney
The Phantom Of The Opera
Impressive new remastering of the 1925 classic with steady, clear shots of Lon Chaney's make-up job.
Blu-ray & DVD, BFI
Source: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/30/only-god-forgives-dvd-review
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