By
Jeremy Cooper: Layout Editor
Director:
Martin
McDonagh
Starring:
Colin
Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson
Synopsis:
Marty
(Farrell) is a screenwriter working
on a script entitled Seven Psychopaths, and
struggling with writer’s block. His two eccentric friends, Billy (Rockwell), and Hans (Walken), are dog thieves who kidnap
dogs and bring them back to the owners for money. Things go a bit pear-shaped
when they kidnap a dog belonging to a psychotic gangster (Harrelson), who will mercilessly kill anyone involved in the theft.
Now on the run, Marty and his friends get a lot of inspiration to write the
script during the ordeal, if they survive that is.
Review:
Seven Psychopaths
is a surreal black comedy, often blurring the lines between reality and the
fictional scenarios that the characters think up. In addition, it features some
snarky commentary on the clichés and formulas found in most movies, while
supplying some ridiculously over-the-top violence. Throw in some of the most
memorable characters I’ve seen all year, and you get what is easily my favorite
comedy of 2012.
I love movies that make fun of movie formulas, and Martin
McDonagh has an absolute blast doing so in this film. Almost every scene has some great dialogue and lines and even the
smallest characters leave an impression on the viewer. Even when it gets dark
and serious, like most black comedies do, it remains consistently engaging.
The
actors are also especially fantastic: Colin Farrell makes for a solid leading
man, while the cast of psychopaths around him, particularly Sam Rockwell and
Christopher Walken, are ace. The movie’s violence and dark sense of humor won’t
appeal to everyone, particularly fans of more mainstream comedies, but this is
a must see for movie lovers and people like me.
Consensus:
Seven Psychopaths is
dark, violent, original, and extremely funny. It’s not only my favorite comedy
of this year, but also one my favorite movies of 2012.
Verdict:
9.3
out of 10
