Only God Forgives is an unusual film to review. On the one hand, I feel obligated to recommend it for its beautiful cinematography and Refn's undeniable mastery of his craft. Yet, I am simultaneously repulsed by many of the scenes framed and presented, however well shot they may be. Indeed, Refn has reverted back to his more independent style of film making, his pre-Drive era if you will, and as such if you expect Only God Forgives to be as accessible as his 2011 effort, you will probably find yourself disappointed. This is an extremely brutal look into the psyche of a criminal as he grows ashamed of the actions and choices he has made, and as such wishes to repent for his questionable life.
Ryan Gosling plays the criminal in question; a drug smuggler named Julian who is but a pawn in his sadistic Mother's operation, played by Kristin Scott Thomas. After the murder of Julian's older brother at the hands of the police officer Chang, portrayed by Vithaya Pansringarm, his mother tasks him with bringing Chang to 'justice'. Most of the narrative that follows is told in typical Refn style, with sparse and infrequent dialogue, and mostly through the use of visual story telling. The cinematography is exquisite and must be praised, using brilliant use of lighting and shadow to convey emotion and mood. The acting, for the most part, is also good. Vithaya Pansringarm is very apt at portraying the steely-cold Chang who dispatches sinners with uncompromising efficiency, and Scott Thomas really did convince as the truly psychopathic, almost incestuous matriarch of the criminal family. However Gosling, unusually, didn't quite make the cut. He is once again stoic and unflinching as he was in Drive, but in parts in Only God Forgives it seems that he is almost sleep-walking his way through. The narrative is in part told through dream sequences so perhaps this was the desired effect, but he nevertheless appears gormless.
Indeed, where the film does falter is in its more existential moments. Sometimes they do work, such as with Chang's seemingly angelic nature, as he makes swords appear out of nowhere as he dispatches justice (indeed, he is the metaphor for God to which the title refers), but in other scenes it falls flat. The most peculiar of which is the recurring karaoke scenes where Chang sings in front of the characters of film as they watch from tables in an exotic nightclub. The film is also horrifically brutal in places. Refn's films are notorious for their unflinching violence, and I must say, he can go overboard. Such is the case in one particular scene as Chang tortures a criminal in order to get information. The scene is far too long, and just when you think it cannot get more sickening, it does. The shot length is extremely long as we are witness to close ups of eye-slitting and chest stabbing. It is far too brutal, and it does spoil the film.
However, Only God Forgives is still a good film and I do recommend it. While the existential scenes can be a little too random, and while some of the violence is too graphic, it is nevertheless visually stunning, with a brilliantly atmospheric soundtrack to complement it. I must also praise a director who is willing to push the boundaries and continue to make independent films that challenge audiences. Some hate his work, others may love it, but in the end, for a man to make art so divisive is extraordinary to behold. Only God Forgives is not a bad as some may say, but it nevertheless isn't Refn's greatest film.
Ryan Gosling plays the criminal in question; a drug smuggler named Julian who is but a pawn in his sadistic Mother's operation, played by Kristin Scott Thomas. After the murder of Julian's older brother at the hands of the police officer Chang, portrayed by Vithaya Pansringarm, his mother tasks him with bringing Chang to 'justice'. Most of the narrative that follows is told in typical Refn style, with sparse and infrequent dialogue, and mostly through the use of visual story telling. The cinematography is exquisite and must be praised, using brilliant use of lighting and shadow to convey emotion and mood. The acting, for the most part, is also good. Vithaya Pansringarm is very apt at portraying the steely-cold Chang who dispatches sinners with uncompromising efficiency, and Scott Thomas really did convince as the truly psychopathic, almost incestuous matriarch of the criminal family. However Gosling, unusually, didn't quite make the cut. He is once again stoic and unflinching as he was in Drive, but in parts in Only God Forgives it seems that he is almost sleep-walking his way through. The narrative is in part told through dream sequences so perhaps this was the desired effect, but he nevertheless appears gormless.
Indeed, where the film does falter is in its more existential moments. Sometimes they do work, such as with Chang's seemingly angelic nature, as he makes swords appear out of nowhere as he dispatches justice (indeed, he is the metaphor for God to which the title refers), but in other scenes it falls flat. The most peculiar of which is the recurring karaoke scenes where Chang sings in front of the characters of film as they watch from tables in an exotic nightclub. The film is also horrifically brutal in places. Refn's films are notorious for their unflinching violence, and I must say, he can go overboard. Such is the case in one particular scene as Chang tortures a criminal in order to get information. The scene is far too long, and just when you think it cannot get more sickening, it does. The shot length is extremely long as we are witness to close ups of eye-slitting and chest stabbing. It is far too brutal, and it does spoil the film.
However, Only God Forgives is still a good film and I do recommend it. While the existential scenes can be a little too random, and while some of the violence is too graphic, it is nevertheless visually stunning, with a brilliantly atmospheric soundtrack to complement it. I must also praise a director who is willing to push the boundaries and continue to make independent films that challenge audiences. Some hate his work, others may love it, but in the end, for a man to make art so divisive is extraordinary to behold. Only God Forgives is not a bad as some may say, but it nevertheless isn't Refn's greatest film.