Tuesday, March 19, 2013

"I don't have a drinking problem. I just like drinking:" Seven Psychopaths

Film Foray Cavalcade no. Soixante et deux: Seven Psychopaths

Seven Psychopaths

Back in 2008, Martin McDonagh wrote and directed a film that I never expected to see. Namely, I was intrigued by the trailer but was pleasantly shocked by the final product that I saw on the screen. Flash forward three years and McDonagh has returned with his highly anticipated second film. Much like In Bruges, I went into the film without my usual routine of reading up on the film to not influence or sour my view on it. While the feeling upon watching the film was not the same as Bruges, I still pleasantly surprised by McDonagh's sophomore effort.

Seven Psychopaths is centered around Marty Faranan, whose writer's block is keeping him from finishing his script for his film also entitled Seven Psychopaths. As one might assume, the film examines the screenwriting process through a completely new lenses. It is not two film geeks discussing a film over a cup of joe in a dimly lit diner, the bulk of the commentary takes place in the desert with Marty and two acquaintances (who are two of the film's "psychopaths"). McDonagh brilliantly contrasts his own view of film (through the character of Marty) to that of Billy's need for gratuitous violence that does little to advance his films plot (One might argue this is McDonagh's critique of the American cinema viewer).

It is kind of shame that this film did not gain much in the realm of exposure to American audiences. While it was shown on more screens than In Bruges, it was just as mis-marketed as that film. In many ways, it was not a dark comedy (it is more of a drama than anything) as it relies heavily on the wit of the script than it does on laughs. Unfortunately, the marketing and also the title of film play a role in making this film a hidden gem from the year that was 2012 in film.

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