Seven Psychopaths

2012, 15, Directed by Martin McDonagh

Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson 

Scriptwriter Marty (Colin Farrell) becomes embroiled in the criminal underworld of LA when his best pal (Sam Rockwell) kidnaps a Shih Tzu from a psychopathic gangster (Woody Harrelson.) The situation proves life-endangering for Marty, but beneficial to his script 'Seven Psychopaths', which is running short of characters. Martin McDonagh's eagerly-anticipated follow-up to 2008's In Bruges is a less contained, more frenetic Coen Brothers-meets-Tarantino yarn that contains perhaps more ambition, and certainly more crazed characters than its predecessor. Balancing the laughs with drama is a difficult thing to do, with McDonagh not particularly attempting to make a striking attempt, instead opting for violent death scenes that are layered with laughter. As a result, story is embraced over character; not that Seven Psychopaths should be judged on this. For what McDonagh has crafted is heightened by an unpredictable razor sharp script that translates to big screen with success. 

Christopher Walken as the mysterious Hans proves the film's standout (no surprises there,) although Rockwell and Harrelson both do zany, madcap and unhinged scarily well - the former an absolute knockout as Billy. Even Tom Waits' miniscule role as a serial killer who shows up on Marty's doorstep following an advertisement for psychopaths in a newspaper remains in the memory. It is down to Farrell to encompass the moral viewpoint of us audience members as the average Joe helplessly involved in the brutal bloodshed; granted, some of the film’s comedy comes from this stance – however, unlike In Bruges’ Ray, Marty's wide-eyed terror wears a little thin. A muddled structure soaks up a lot of the film’s gleaming qualities, with the feeling cropping up far too often that the film – like the eponymous script – has no clue where it’s headed. 

Although the film lacks as much empathy as its psychopathic counterparts, it remains a hilarious rollicking romp that encourages a re-watch, just as well as you sit back and revel in the meandering shenanigans and embrace the notion that Martin McDonagh is doing his utmost to entertain. Which he has done once more with a resounding success. As quotable as In Bruges. Sadly, just not as good. Perhaps seven is too many psychopaths for one film. 

 3.5/5

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BFI London Film Festival picks: 5-1

The 56th BFI London Film Festival is finally upon us, kickstarting tonight with Tim Burton's Frankenweenie! Following Part 1 of my Top Ten picks of the Festival, here is what I feel are the big dog films to look out for over the next 11 days. Enjoy, and get involved.

5. Crossfire Hurricane

Directed by Brett Morgan
Starring: The Rolling Stones

Receiving its world premiere at the Festival is Crossfire Hurricane, Brett Morgan's 50^th anniversary documentary on legendary rock stars The Rolling Stones. You don't need to be a Stones nut, just a music lover. If you are a fan mind, you should know they're going to be hitting the red carpet for the screening.
 

4. The Sapphires

Directed by Wayne Blair
Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy

Here we have what I predict will be one of the more underrated showings at the festival, but one whose very appearance will raise its profile enough so as to make a dent at the box office upon its release. Australian film The Sapphires is about the rise of a Supremes-esque Aborigines girl group mentored by Chris O'Dowd's Dave, who entertain US troops during Vietnam. From the clips that have been released, this is gonna charm even the most hard-centred folk.

3. Argo
Directed by Ben Affleck
Starring: Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston

With just two films, Ben Affleck has carved himself out as a director whose films  warrant getting  excited about. With The Town a step forward after the also-brilliant Gone Baby Gone, here's hoping he can make it third time a winner with Argo, a feature already being mentioned alongside the word Oscar. The plot seems to merge political thriller with satire in an attempted serious manner - a strange one for sure. But I'm pretty excited to see how Affleck pulls this one together, for if the credible male cast are placed into the story successfully, this has the makings of a modern classic.

2. Sightseers

Directed by Ben Wheatley
Starring: Steve Oram, Alice Lowe, Tony Way

Ben Wheatley's follow-up to the deranged Kill List promises to be equally as deranged, albeit with a bucketful of laughs put in for good measure. If the early festival appearances and reviews throughout the past year are anything to go by, Sightseers could be the film of 2012. The fact it is showing at the LFF enhances this, not to mention it's backing by BFI Film Fund - best of luck getting a seat for this one.

1. Seven Psychopaths

Directed by Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell

Top of my personal list of films to get excited about at the festival was always going to be Martin McDonagh's long-overdue follow-up to the hugely revered In Bruges. Re-casting Colin Farrell, this time as Marty, the film boasts the cast to beat: Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, to name but a few. And the trailer further proves what was already known: this is destined to be just as revered and quoted as his debut. What’s it all about? A struggling screenwriter becomes embroiled in the LA criminal underworld when his friends kidnap a gangster’s beloved Shih Tzu. If the Coen Brother-esque plot doesn’t get you enticed, chances are nothing will.
 

 

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