I immediately want to say that I do not recommend this movie to anybody I know, as you will most likely hate it; his movie is not in the least bit entertaining, exciting, or even enjoyable. But I adored it. How you ask? Because it is a Nicolas winding Refn film, and it is one of the most absorbing and mysterious movies ever made. This thing has been torn apart by many publications and audiences, but there are those few who found its merit; I consider myself part of that group. "Only God Forgives" is so unique in that it is not even trying to be like a normal film. It has almost no dialogue, people seem to be moving in slow-motion, and the characters are not really characters at all. Its a delirious David Lynch impersonation with no soul, interspersed with violence so grisly and brutal, it would make Peckinpah and Tarantino blush. What arrives through this insanity is a work of art; art is not art unless it is a cause for a debate, and this film is one.
The plot is rather simple and is not worth mentioning. It isn't the reason for the film. Any plot could be used, and I would not have cared. I was absorbed by the actors and sets. Ryan Gosling is the "main character" as Julian. Julian is clearly a haunted soul, speaking very little, instead using his steely and fiery stare to communicate. While it sounds ludicrous, I find such nuance and depth in just his eyes. Gosling has perfected the art of doing nothing, but conveying everything. It makes him a truly powerful actor. Kristin Scott Thomas chews the scenery and spits it out tenfold as Julian's mother, Crystal. She is the only character who acts like she is in a normal film. Her performance is hilariously profane and entertaining, but lacks the depth of Gosling, and the real star of this film: Vithaya Pansringarm. Vithaya is a menace, and while seemingly the villain, is truly the hero. He is an unstoppable force of moral cleanliness and justice. Like One-Eye in Refn's "Valhalla Rising", Chang is an extremely violent yet controlled monster.
The actors fall victim to being upstaged by the visuals, and for good reason. Everything is so Kubrickian and Lynchian, making every moment look like something from an artist's gallery. Colors intertwine and bathe environments in other-worldly glow; wallpapers pop out with flare and life; even something as simple as blue light reflected off blue eyes becomes entrancing and glorious. For best eye-candy, this movie is high up there in the list. What makes the violence even more disturbing and graphic then, is how ugly it looks compared to the background. Its messy and heavy, even though it is stylized in a sense. Blood splatters and drips, and flesh rends with sickening sounds. It does get ridiculous and gratuitous during one very long, and drawn out interrogation. It pays as a homage to Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" with the infamous "ear scene", but does not make it that memorable but instead dizzying.
Only God Forgives can not really be dissected at a spiritual level here, because what people see might be different. What I saw was a film about absolute morality and justice; Chang is God. He is an unstoppable force, and can seem unfair, yet is always right. Chang is death in a pure form, never straying from his path. Though, by the end, we see that he can't be God, because if only God forgives, than why doesn't Chang forgive? The nature of God, man, violence, justice, and what it means to be a human are all explored in depth here. Like I stated earlier, it's not a movie that is meant to be enjoyed or liked. It is meant to confuse and anger. It is an experience, and for those who understand that are witnessing moving art, and not a film, you will find a something to debate and dissect for awhile to come.
Rated R for strong bloody violence including grisly images, sexual content and language
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