Written & Directed By: Lynn Ramsay
Based on the book By: Jonathan Ames
Cinematography By: Tom Townend
Editor: Joe Bini
Music By: Johnny Greenwood
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Alessandro Nivola, Judith Roberts, John Doman, Alex Mannette
Balancing between feverish dreamlike hallucinations of a tormented past and a grim disoriented reality, the grizzled Joe. a traumatised Gulf War veteran and now an unflinching hired gun who lives with his frail elderly mother has just finished successfully yet another job. With an infernal reputation of being a brutal man of results, the specialised in recovering missing teens enforcer will embark on a blood-drenched rescue mission, when Nina, the innocent 13-year-old daughter of an ambitious New York senator, never returns home. But amidst half-baked leads and a desperate desire to shake off his shoulders the heavy burden of a personal hell, Joe's frenzied plummet into the depths of Tartarus is inevitable, and every step Joe takes to flee the pain, brings him closer to the horrors of insanity. In the end, what is real, and what is a dream? Can there be a new chapter in Joe's life when he keeps running around in circles?
Keep in mind I am a fan of films that offer a different take. As it becomes interesting watching a film that sets out to challenge the audience. One can admit sometimes going into a film that you know will be unconventional. That some of the entertainment of the endeavor is watching the reaction of the audience that sometimes are unaware of what is to come.
What is interesting about this film is how it has it’s own signature. As it is a challenging film to watch. More interested in details such as visuals and sound design rather than story. As the story is more an action film with a conspiracy thriller at it’s heart but the film cares more about characters and exploring the main character, though not offering any explanations. Only leaving glimpses of his past as answers to his behavior.
The film has plenty of violence and action sequences but we only see the aftermath. As usually when these scenes come up he camera shy’s away so that we might hear or just be brought to the end of it.
The film is never extravagant as at times it suggest it might be even in it’s more surreal moments it seems grounded even if a little floating away from the viewer.
Joaquin Phoenix gives another off kilter powerful performance. As our lead who is on camera and onscreen for almost every scene. We know his character is tough but are constantly questioning his sanity.
Even more impressive Joaquin Phoenix even physically transforms himself. He is bigger and thicker, having more the physique of a wrestler. Not skinny or actually muscular but actually fleshy with telltale scars all over his body. That make him imposing and believable as someone who can take on and take out sizable enemies. Making it seem like he has given his body and soul into this performance
The novella the film is based upon gives off more answers. Though the film is it’s own beast. As the film seems to actively fight cliches and conventions to make this story a one of a kind experience and existence
The soundtrack by Johnny Greenwood is exquisite. Listening to it before actually seeing the film conjured up many images and scenes in the mind. That once Seen how it is is used In The film tales it to another level.
Director Lynn Ramsay usually tends to adapt novels and make them into films that tend to be in her own vision or interpretations. Which usually are rich but challenging for audiences looking for more conventional adaptations. I applaud her as she is more interested in visuals to do the talking. She has shown her films never possess a moral judgement as at times she shows the human side of characters who would be considered evil or monsters. As she is more interested in what makes them tick and survive rather than actions and story at times.
So that she is constantly surprising those who know the material she is working with. Her films usually carry an atmosphere of doom and darkness. As at times she presents rather shocking or emotional moments more matter of fact it how they might happen more in reality.
In this film the story is fractured just as the main characters mentality is at times. Sometimes sharp and focused. Direct and detailed. At other times floundering. The main character seems onto alert and alive when on these jobs he is hired for, but when left to his own devices finds himself drowning. As he can’t release things from the past that haunt him. The irony is that things from his past that aren’t his fault and couldn’t have helped he feels guilty of and the actions that happen later essentially are because of him. Though he keeps managing to see past those and keep moving toward his goal.
As ultimately this is a revenge film that really doesn’t deliver on the usual impulses and adrenaline you might feel from the violence or aggressions one usually gets from action films. That at times play and feed more from the audience. As we can imagine ourselves in the role of the hero.
This is a film that is minimal in design. That feels bigger because of the expanse of story and how much room it leaves for the audience to interpret. Even the ending which has a surreal quality is there to shock and also has a kind of sly humor after all that we have seen before it. That seems there as an internal interpretation for the character in which we expect, but then shocks us yet continues in a little more conventional manner. By the end we are left to make up our own minds as far as interpretation. As we are left to decide whether this is an awakening or a journey towards certain death. As it has a TAXI DRIVER type vibe.
This film could have easily been a fun of the mill thriller. What is done here by the cast and crew is phenomenal and not only rises to a certain challenge but enhances the material.
GRADE: B+
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