You Were Never Really Here

Joaquin Phoenix moves from strength to strength these days, truly moving into elite acting company via lead roles in highly regarded (whilst not heavily publicised) films throughout the 2000s. Unfortunately, You Were Never Really Here doesn't quite meet the expectations that the trailer promised - more of a slow-burning, passive crime film that doesn't ever satisfy the viewer. The film starts with a bang, immediately giving insight into Joe's (Phoenix) murky life as a pseudo-hitman with some dramatic and gruesome violence. From this point on, the initial highs are then never reached again - the plot becomes formulaic, and the characters do not evoke emotion as they apparently should do.

Artistically, this movie does push the boat out: camera angles are used effectively, with long sweeping shots accompanying the use of sound for a more complete experience. Colour is also vivid, with scenes suitably reflecting the dark tones constant throughout the film. However, this isn't enough to elevate the lacklustre storyline to the standard Phoenix's projects are now associated with.