2012: The Year in Film: "Seven Psychopaths" Review

Only 9 days late on this one. Could be MUCH worse. Martin McDonagh is a critically acclaimed, Tony nominated and well respected Irish playright who made the move into film with 2008's absolutely brilliant and Oscar nominated "In Bruges". I can honestly say that In Bruges is one of my favorite recent films and established McDonagh as someone I'd be following for the rest of his career. Centered on two Irish hitmen who hide out in Bruges, Belgium after a hit gone horribly wrong, In Bruges is dark, it's twisted, it's sweet at moments, it's hilarious, and it's surprisingly introspective. Think old Guy Ritchie with more "heart" and without trying so damn hard to be "cool". With that being said, when I heard that he was finally following up In Bruges, my interest was piqued to say the least.

 Enter "Seven Psychopaths", which was not done ANY favors by the advertising. I seriously wonder who's in charge of the marketing for some of these flicks.. this one came off as a stylized "cool guy" action-er in the style of a Pulp Fiction or Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. What we actually get is something that is KIND of that, but also much, much more and altogether different. We focus on Martin, (Colin Farrell) a screenwriter who's up against a deadline from the studio and hopelessly out of ideas. All he has for his next movie, that's due any day now, is a title: "Seven Psychopaths". His best friend and aspiring actor Billy (Sam Rockwell) who's at least slightly unhinged and also a part-time dog thief seeks to help Martin out of his alcoholic writer's block phase by any means necessary. Along the way, under the guise of research for this Seven Psychopaths project, we're introduced to a number of possibly or actual psychopathic characters, including bunny loving Zachariah (Tom Waits) and pacifist Hans (Christopher Walken), who is Billy's partner in dog kidnapping. After Billy and Hans take the wrong dog, Martin and friends find themselves in serious danger, and no where on the movie.

This flick is smart, it's violent, it's very, very meta, but above all it features great quirky actors with whip-smart dialogue being alternately disturbing and hilarious. Sam Rockwell, in particular, was born to play this role. He's charming as hell, moderately disturbing, hilarious, and just a few shades too far away from "normal" for anyone to be comfortable around him. He's the kind of guy who'd hang out with you all night and then murder your girlfriend as the result of an off-hand remark. Making a movie featuring dog thievery called "Seven Psychopaths" and leaving out Chris Walken and Woody Harrelson is most likely illegal, and those two crown princes of Hollywood spastic behavior certainly do not disappoint.
If I have a complaint, it's that the plot can be scattershot, but the film isn't trying to be a straightforward narrative exercise. If anything, it's a quasi-autobiographical meta look at writing films, featuring some strange personages in lieu of anyone who may be recognizable as a normal person. It's sometimes disturbing, it's often hilarious, it's surprisingly charming, and features some memorable characters in some great locales. The entire final act in Joshua Tree national park is surreal and masterfully shot.

 Come for Chris Walken, Sam Rockwell and Bonny, the cutest Shih Tzu ever (many hilarious uses of Shih Tzu by the cast, btw), stay for a boozy yet effective Colin Farrell, Tom Waits, Woody Harrelson and a story that will charm you while you're laughing your ass off. This is a fun flick that will no doubt be enjoyed in dorm rooms for years to come. A damn good time at the movies.

 8/10.