Seven Psychopaths (2012) Film Review

Don’t ya just love going in to a film not knowing anything about it or anything to do with it? It is a total hit or miss, although I find that even a really bad film is better if it is unexpected. Seven Psychopaths was totally a hit.

From Martin McDonagh, writer and director of In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths is just that – a film about seven psychopathic people. Or more specifically, a film about Marty (Colin Farrell), an alcoholic screenplay writer who is trying to write his new film, titled Seven Psychopaths. As he does this, the relationship with his Australian lover, Kaya (Abbie Cornish) is struggling as he spends too much time with his actor friend Billy (Sam Rockwell). Then things get complex.

There is so going on in the plot of this film that it is really difficult not to mention anything further without major spoilers. It is very violent, but very funny. Really and truly laugh out loud funny. The dialogue is extremely amusing (comparable to the wit of Reservoir Dogs, only less like a stand-up comedy routine, and more like conversations that real, witty people might have.

For me, the film was carried by Sam Rockwell, although I have to mention the performances of Woody Harrelson and Christopher Walken. Harrelson is so strong and funny, and Walken is magnificently understated.  Harry Dean Stanton and Tom Waits and I’m pretty happy. As long as you don’t mind a bit of violence (including some very hilarious violence), get out and see this film.

Limitless (2011) – Film Review

Bradley Cooper plays Eddie Morra, a writer who is struggling with his life and his relationship. He’s reaching his deadline and has nothing to show for it, and he’s not coping well. Then he bumps into his ex-wife’s brother, a drug dealer who used to supply Eddie in his wild, young days. He has a new drug, NZT-48, which allows the user to access 100% of his brain potential and they can then do just about anything. Eddie starts to take these, quickly becomes addicted and falls into a world of danger and violence.

It’s not bad. The concept in itself is pretty good; the idea of someone being able to see all possibilities at once. I think the key problem is the structure. It starts about three-quarters of the way through the film, which is a pretty common structure. Then it immediately flashes back, and once I’m in to the story, I’ve forgotten the first bit. When it gets back to it, I cannot see any reason for them to have started at this point. Why not just tell the story? Playing with structure can be totally amazing, but it shouldn’t be done for absolutely no reason. The other problem is the end. It feels totally anti-climactic, and just when I thought it was going to get interesting again, it finishes. Just like that.

Essentially, this film got me annoyed. There was so much potential which I think it failed to meet. Still, if you’re sitting at home on a Sunday night and dreading work the next day and this film comes on, it’s worth a watch.