![Only God Forgives [DVD] [2013]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51W3laPnuKL.jpg)
Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive) and Ryan Gosling (The Place Beyond the Pines) reunite in the highly acclaimed Only God Forgives--a stylish, mesmerising and thrilling journey through Bangkok’s criminal underworld. Julian (Gosling) runs a boxing club as a front for a drugs operation. He has everything he wants for and is respected in the criminal underworld though, deep inside, he feels empty. When Julian’s brother is murdered, his mother (Kristin Scott Thomas, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen)--the head of a powerful criminal organisation--arrives in Bangkok to collect her son’s body. Furious with grief, she dispatches Julian to find his killers and ‘raise hell’. The stage is set for a bloody journey of betrayal and vengeance towards a final confrontation and the possibility of redemption. Hailed as "mesmeric, mad, brutal and brilliant"*, Only God Forgives is a twisted, breathtaking, neon-drenched fairytale that you’ll never forget. *The Guardian
U**Y
I wouldn't bother
I really enjoyed the movie 'Drive' - therefore I had high hopes for this film.Unfortunately, it doesn't work. Ryan Gosling's tried and tested formula of saying little and staring into space reacting to events around him, quickly becomes tiresome and ultimately contributes to what becomes an irritating movie.The script is off, disjointed and in place unconvincing. Whilst the set designs are well done, the overall sense if that there is too much style at the expense of everything else. Kristen Thomas' lines and character aren't convincing and it's not clear what the themes are here, never mind what the movie has to say.The best character in the move is the police chief who is really the most entertaining character in the film.Overall I found this quite a frustrating movie to watch, as if the director had some half baked ideas that weren't fully realised.
D**R
Not for me.
I have seen Ryan Gosling in a LOT better films.This was an 18 rated and has violence BUT the rest is just staring, creeping about and would probably classed as a genre or film noir, found it boring but stuck with it, now regretted.
B**S
Cinematic flatulence
Nicholas Winding Refn wrote and directed some great films. The Pusher Triology was highly entertaining. Bronson was enjoyable (Tom Hardy) and Drive was a masterpiece. 'Only God Forgives' is cinematic flatulence.Currently on this website it has 47% one stars reviews, and 23% five star reviews.
M**E
Weird & horrible... I quite liked it.
Weird & horrible... I quite liked it. The beginning was a little slow but I wanted to see how it ended. I couldn't watch a film like this too often, but it allows a visit to the disturbing side of life while enjoying a bucket of popcorn. Phew... those swords were sharp!
N**Y
All style and no substance
The director seems to be obsessed with lighting everything in purple. This was not Goslings finest hour the director made him look awkward and dumb...He didnt speak for the first 10 minutes just moody reflective looks and gestures.I left after 10 minutes it was really annoying me how the producers had let this crazy director use all the money cast and resources and come up with this crap! I want my money back it was appalling, a film student could have made a better go of it!
L**M
Ryan and Kristin's presence leads one to expect more!
Ryan and Kristin great actors, great performances, but their very presence leads one to expect something different to this film. Lesser known actors are better suited to this type of film to gain a following and increase ratings as film noir. Using big stars draws in the wrong viewing crowd and makes a potentially great movie a flop; another movie ruined by money!
V**N
Visual treat
but a bit on the arty side for me.. Slow in other words.. But entertaining if you enjoy the technical side of films as it`s beautifully crafted.
A**R
Hard work.
Not an easy viewing.
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