REVIEWED
"And how many cocks can you entertain, with that cute little cum dumster of yours." - Chain smoking mother from hell Crystal (Kristin Scott Thomas)
Ryan Gosling and director Nicolas Winding Refn blew the world of lads film magazines and bar room film buffs away with their amazing throwback to 70's getaway driving movies 'Drive'. With 'Only God Forgives' they go full on for the bloke movie jugular. Needless to say chicks and wimps needn't apply (so thats at least 60% of film fans who just won't get it).
Sure through all its stylish slow paced, glossy veneer (trust me it looks amazing) at heart, its crude, derivative and pretty much a pure exploitation movie... so of course I f@cking loved it (erm did I also say it also works like an homage to Asian crime/trash cinema).
'Only God Forgives' story is set in the seedy underworld of Thailand. And about cherub faced, moody, drug running and Thai boxing promoting Julian (Gosling). He fails to avenge his cwazy as a coconut brother's death. So mother from hell, Crystal (Kristin Scott Thomas) flies in to sort out the mess. They have to face righteous karaoke loving, Samaria cop Chang (Vithaya Pansringarm) who let their brother die.
It looks and sounds amazing. Moody shadows wash over almost entire red filled scenes (if it was Sesame Street the movie would be brought to you by the colour red). While the music mixes ambient trip hop beats with traditional oriental music. Director Nicolas Winding Refn true skill is how he manages to walk the fine line between being artistic and being tacky (hes no snob but no slouch either). Vithaya Pansringarm stole the entire movie for me, he's every bit as cool as anyone out of a Kitano/Hark/Miike/Woo crime movie.
[Personal Reasons For Remembering]
The best pan beating I've seen since Vic Reeves Big Night Out. And Kristin Scott Thomas making me chuckle with her (so very Tarantino like) yellow nigger monologue.
Originally taken from Letterboxd
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