Savages (2012)

Pot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.

Director:

Oliver Stone

Writers:

Shane Salerno (screenplay), Don Winslow (screenplay),

Stars:

Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Blake Lively	...	O
Taylor Kitsch	...	Chon
Aaron Taylor-Johnson	...	Ben (as Aaron Johnson)
Jana Banker	...	Volleyball Girl
Candra Docherty	...	Grow House Girl
Nana Agyapong	...	Bicycle Delivery Girl
Gary Stretch	...	Bad Ass Biker
Benicio Del Toro	...	Lado
Diego Cataño	...	Esteban
Shea Whigham	...	Chad
Karishma Ahluwalia	...	Chad's Girlfriend
Joaquín Cosio	...	El Azul
John Travolta	...	Dennis
Jonathan Carr	...	Valet
Demián Bichir	...	Alex

Storyline

Entrepreneurs Ben, a peaceful and charitable marijuana producer, and friend Chon, a former Navy SEAL, run a lucrative, homegrown industry - raising some of the best weed ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with Ophelia. Life is idyllic in their Southern California town... until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena and her enforcer, Lado, underestimate the unbreakable bond of the three friends, Ben and Chon - with the reluctant assistance of a dirty DEA agent - wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and maneuvers in a high stakes, savage battle of wills.

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Plot Keywords:

southern california | marijuana | enforcer | dea agent | dea | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal and grisly violence, some graphic sexuality, nudity, drug use and language throughout

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp] Universal [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 July 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

Salvajes

Filming Locations:

'Rat Beach', Torrance, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$16,016,910 (USA) (6 July 2012)

Gross:

$47,307,550 (USA) (31 August 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ixtlan, Onda Entertainment, Relativity Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min 141 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oliver Stone instructed Blake Lively to take firearm training for her role. Despite not being experienced at the gun range, she hit center mass in her first three shots.

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Goofs

When the cartel 'motorcycle cop' comes up to the guy's car, after pulling him over, he has his hand on his holstered pistol. The pistol does not protrude through the bottom (barrel) - standard issue type. But, when the hit-man shoots the guy, there's a silencer on the barrel. There was no time to have screwed one on. However the hit-man has a holstered pistol on his right hip; he grabs the weapon that he uses to kill Frankie with his left hand from the back of his body.

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Quotes

[first lines]
O: [voice-over] Just because I'm telling you this story doesn't mean I'm alive at the end of it. This could all be pre-recorded and I could be talking to you from the bottom of the ocean. Yeah, it's that kind of a story. Because things just got so out of control.

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Connections

References Up in Smoke (1978)

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Soundtracks

"Miles De Pasajeros (Mightysphnix Transpo Remix)"
Written by Gustavo Santaolalla, Bajofondo, Supervielle
Performed by Gustavo Santaolalla, Bajofondo, Supervielle

User Reviews

But he's such a nice drug dealer

Greetings again from the darkness. I guess this qualifies as director Oliver Stone returning to his dark side. Based on Don Winslow's novel, it certainly has the foundation to be a complex, down-and-dirty, twisted plot, double-crossing, love triangle, ultra-violent, drug-dealing smörgåsbord. And while it possesses all of those elements, it still manages to come across as some slick Michael Mann cable TV project.

The film begins with narration from O (Blake Lively) who tells us that just because she is telling us this story, doesn't mean she is alive at the end. Huh?? She also tells us that she is in love with two drug-dealing buddies. Yes, both of them. Chon (Taylor Kitsch) is the ex-Seal and muscle in the business. Ben (Aaron Johnson) is the gifted botanist who turns the Afghan seeds into the most potent pot in southern California. Oh, and Ben is the ultimate philanthropist drug dealer. He builds schools in third world countries and invests in clean energy. After what felt like an eternity, the narration finally ended and I could stop yelling "Shut up, O" at the screen.

One day the boys receive a video via email. It's an invitation to a business meeting with the Mexican Baja Drug cartel. Suffice to say that the video contained no balloons or party animals. It was more of a warning about what happens if you choose not to do business with us. The cartel front men are played by Demian Bichir (fresh off A Better Life) and Benecio Del Toro (MIA since The Wolfman). The queen of the cartel is Elena, played by Salma Hayak. Throw in a corrupt DEA agent, playing both sides against each other, portrayed by John Travolta and all the pieces are in place for real fireworks once O is kidnapped.

The rest of the movie is pretty much the war you would expect with some poor negotiation skills tossed in for fun. Overacting is the word of the day, especially from Travolta, Ms. Hayak and Emile Hirsch (money man). Still not sure what to make of Ms. Lively (The Town). The camera certainly loves her but it's too early to tell if she has staying power as an actress. The only character that is really fun to watch is Lado, played by Del Toro. He is truly a frightening guy who also happens to have a deceptive mind on how to take over from the weak.

The whole good versus evil story line really only works if one side is good and one side is evil. If the good side (Ben) is a drug-dealer in a love triangle with his best friend, it's much more difficult to muster empathy. Otherwise, when the mandatory hostage/money exchanges occur, we really aren't invested in the characters ... and the action takes center stage. That's the sign of a forgettable movie with no real heart.