Friday, October 12, 2012

Sheep Movie Review: Seven Psychopaths




Seven Psychopaths, written and directed by Martin McDonagh, stars Christopher Walken, Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson. A fresh, different film that never takes itself too seriously and is surprisingly entertaining. If nothing else can be gained from this movie at least I found out it sure would be tiring to have a psycho friend. 

Plot: 
Marty (Farrell) is a struggling writer who dreams of finishing his screenplay, "Seven Psychopaths". Billy (Rockwell) is Marty's best friend, an unemployed actor and part time dog thief, who wants to help Marty by any means necessary. All he needs is a little focus and inspiration. Hans (Walken) is Billy's partner in crime. A religious man with a violent past. Charlie (Harrelson) is the psychopathetic gangster whose beloved dog, Billy and Hans have just stolen. Charlie's unpredictable, extremely violent and wouldn't think twice about killing anyone or anything associated with the theft. Marty is going to get all the focus and inspiration he needs, just as long as he lives to tell the tale.

It's always nice to see Colin acting in a film that shows off his character depth, and Seven Psychopaths does that for the lad and then some. Colin can blow things up and kick some butt when needed, BUT the man can also act his Irish booty off. There's subtlety to his craft and some down right earth shattering moments of realism. He never ceases to amaze me, plus the man's just easy on the eyes. *le sigh* 

Looking closer at Sam Rockwell I see a man who can wear many masks as an actor. Sam has this wonderful ability to become his characters, or maybe they become him, but no matter how you look at the guy you'll always find that charismatic quality shining through. He's a little dirty and disheveled, but that's what gives him the edge both on and off screen. Christopher Walken is the man! I don't care what film he's in or who he's playing, the man's an acting god. Period. 

The story itself is one that was a little hard to follow at times because there's a lot to keep track of, and almost an overload of secondary plots. Mixed and mashed scenes from present day to past all blend together with a movie script that's currently in the works. I wasn't sure how this would all come full circle but by the end it didn't really matter because the movie's message was received. There's action, and blood, in the film but that's not really the focus of the movie. Writer/Director McDonagh does a great job of mixing humor with action and pacing it all to the mood the audience is supposed to feel. It's very much a story within a story and shot in very vivid scope. 

Overall the film is both strange and refreshing, and it really does stretch out from the majority of Hollywood films. I felt like I was the psychiatrist and patient at times, it's entertaining for sure in an oddball kind of way. 



Getting 3 and 1/2 'hooker in a red dress' Sheep
KD

2 comments:

  1. I want to see this one so bad! I love the cast

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    Replies
    1. It's an odd one. But good. Was hard to write this review for a number of reasons. It's worth seeing, for sure. We can chat more after you've given it a go. :)

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