Episode five of "Too Old to Die Young," "Volume 5: The Fool," is, without a doubt, one of the most uncomfortable and tense television experiences I have ever had. Immediately within the first sixty seconds of starting, episode five throws its viewer into a series of scenes so horrific in their subtext and implied content that I honestly thought I was going to have trouble sleeping afterwards.
Episode five is Nicolas Winding Refn at his most talented - when my man chooses to direct tension and suspense, he does so in spades. I was squirming in my seat constantly; I can't remember a piece of media that made me feel so disturbed. Scenes linger on for much longer than they should, which had me honestly considering if I should turn off the TV, just because I didn't want to see the horror that I thought was going to happen next. This episode is a masterclass in letting one's imagination do the work - Refn may not show you all of the awful things he teases, but that just makes it all the more scary to watch. You're expecting something violent, something vile, and as scenes continue for one, two, three, five agonizing minutes, you'll start to feel yourself get increasingly uncomfortable at the prospect of waiting for something to happen.
Miles teller returns, and this time he actually shows some emotion. Much like Naomi Watts in "Mulholland Drive," Miles' character acts like he's acting, putting on a facade to trick others into making them think he is someone he isn't. And he puts on this facade to perfection. There were sequences where he has to act interested in disgusting, putrid topics of conversations that were so awkward to watch, but fantastic in their execution and story progression. All of the acting is good in this episode, however, particularly a specific man who only appears in the opening scene - his role is filled with so much horror that it honestly felt like I was watching something I wasn't supposed to be watching.
Also, there are some pretty exciting sequences in here, especially a car chase and a scene where someone stalks a hallway, looking for some very specific people to kill. Again, the score enhances every scene, and Refn's direction adds a visual flair that is so lacking in today's media; I honestly think more people should copy Refn's style of visual filmmaking, if not necessarily his style of storytelling.
"Volume 5: The Fool" is seriously picking up momentum - if the show continues like this, I can see it being an 8 or 9 out of 10 overall.
4 out of 4 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
