Only God Forgives Review

Written and Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn's previous directorial effort, was my favorite film of 2011, so I was understandably intrigued to see Only God Forgives, which looked like an altogether artsier, more unique film. I was excited by the prospect of a filmmaker who would stick so close to his vision and I wanted to see what he would do and was willing to take risks for the sake of his art. What I came to realize in watching Only God Forgives was that it is in the nature of risks that sometimes they don't pay off.

One cannot criticize this film for a lack of passion. Winding Refn clearly cares a lot about the world he is creating. The film is the farthest thing from lazy, closer to having too much effort put in. While that doesn't seem like it can be a bad thing, it really does constrict the film and prevent it from being able to breathe. Refn's style fills every frame, every cut, every moment, but it's too much, it sinks the film, and doesn't really let the film flow naturally. It is loved, but it is forced.

That is not to say it is all bad, though. Truly the cinematography is quite gorgeous, the film feeling like a fever dream at times. This is fascinating enough, but it makes it very hard to have a stake in the proceedings. Artsiness and experimental methods are fine in a film, but when the film becomes about the artsiness and uniqueness, then it ceases to truly function as a movie, and instead becomes an hour and a half of self-indulgence.

Many people in negative reviews have pointed out the fact that Gosling's protagonist has fewer than 20 lines in the film. In truth, this is not a negative at all. Gosling is such a strong actor that he sells these quiet moments, proving that he really doesn't need dialogue, when in fact his dialogue scenes fall shorter than his silent ones. 

The rest of the performances are non-entities. Since this film is so completely about Refn's style, only Gosling and Kristen Scott-Thomas, playing his mother, actually stand out as even having performances. This is a benefit in Gosling's case, and a detriment in Thomas'. She is given the lion's share of the dialogue, and most of it terrible. Her one character trait is that she is a bad mother, and the movie does everything it can to force you to realize this. It is unfortunate, but becomes laughable at a point, as the movie keeps trying to convince you of something you figured out in mere moments.

I do understand what the movie was trying to achieve, and I respect it. There are some truly powerful images and strong scenes. However, the film gets too caught up in itself to really capitalize on these scenes. Though there is a message, one would be forgiven to see it as simply an experimental film, an exercise in seeing how much dark, disturbing content can be squeezed into such a short running time. 

This film is so unique that I would not fault anybody for liking it. Though I found it to be trying too hard, I am nonetheless still interested in Winding Refn's future work, as I truly do respect directors who will stick to their visions and refuse to play it safe, even if that means occasionally making a bad film. 

Grade: C-