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Only God Forgives (2013)
Can be enjoyed if you are not expecting 'Drive 2'
Despite all the bad press on this film, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it!
When watching an 'artistic' or 'arthouse' piece of cinema i feel it is up to you as the viewer to look a little deeper and take meaning from what is not said and look into the visuals and symbolic scenes in the film....and not take it at face value which would make it a slow paced film with minimal plot and some ultra violent scenes.
To me the film followed the repercussions of one obscene incident, when people do not forgive what others do (or don't do). Within this basic basic story there is a family with a mixed up dynamic where one brother (who has some serious problems, as shown from what happens at the start) is seen as 'perfect' by his mother. The other brother, Julien (Gosling) lives in the shadow of his brother, always being put down by his mother.
For me the key scene for showing what is going on is where Julien goes to dinner with his mother and takes Mai with him. His mother shows her total disrespect for him but he shies away then explodes moments after leaving.
The film is slow at times and the soundtrack almost hypnotic but this is juxtaposed with the few scenes of graphic violence, mirroring the relationship between Julien and his mother. Julien, quiet and reserved,
lives under the thumb of his mother; his mother who violently (verbally and emotionally) lets Julien know that he is second to his brother in every way.
I saw the film for the first time last night, so far that is what I make of it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not one to watch over and over, but it is a film worthy of your time in my opinion.
If Drive has set your expectations for this film, don't compare them. They are two very different pieces of cinema with the only likeness being Refn at the helm and Gosling playing the main character.
Running in Traffic (2009)
A fantastic Scottish film!
Running in Traffic is a very gripping, thought provoking story of two lives that run in parallel with each other. It explores the idea of connectivity and these two people seem to have a connection, however they do not come into contact with each other.
The story can be quite depressing at times because it explores the harsh realities of life. It is true in the way that it shows life is not easy. In some ways it could be said to be exaggerated because of its harshness but that's what film does - it often exaggerates real life to help convey a point. The point that comes across, well what I took from it anyway, is that life is hard and at times you may feel desperate but there is always something good ahead that comes to you when you need it most.
The superbly convincing acting is well worth a mention as I feel it is a vital factor in selling the story to the audience. When you are watching it you feel that the characters are very believable. From a film-making point of view I found that I had to watch it a few times before I could concentrate on the film-making aspect. The first few times, the story just grabbed me and I couldn't take a moment to think of anything else other than what was happening.
Overall Running In Traffic seemed to strike a chord with me. It is without a doubt one of the best films I have watched. In my personal opinion it is the best film to come of Scotland in a long time if not ever. It is just fantastic to watch a hard hitting drama that truly has a heart.