If 2011’s Drive proved anything, it was that Nicolas Winding Refn is a director to look out for. His amazing visual style turned what could have been an ordinary story of a getaway driver into something extraordinary. Now Refn returns with his latest effort entitled Only God Forgives, a film that premiered earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival.
While there have already been a number of previews for the film, including a teaser and a red-band trailer, yet another full-length theatrical trailer has been released, and as you can probably guess, it shows off Refn’s visual acuity in all its glory.
The film tells the story of Julian (Ryan Gosling), a drug-smuggler in Bangkok’s criminal underworld, who is compelled by his mother to hunt down and kill the person responsible for his brother’s death. The synopsis alone might sound somewhat generic, but given what Refn was able to do with Drive, another film that sounded a bit generic, I’m willing to give him the full benefit of the doubt.
However, it is a bit disconcerting that the reviews from Cannes were mostly negative, and also that there was reportedly booing that took place at the screening. Early reports call the film “laboriously overproduced dross,” a “drudging affair,” and that it is “lacking any kind of satisfying or coherent narrative throughline.” In fact, most of the few positive reviews the film has received simply praise the film’s visual splendor.
Even after the critical lashings the film has taken thus far, I’m still anxious to see how the project turned out. Luckily, we don’t have all that much longer to wait. On top of that, there’s the great news that the film will be premiering on Video on Demand the same day it opens in theatrical release, so everyone will get a chance to see it regardless of where they live.
Only God Forgives, starring Ryan Gosling, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Yayaying Rhatha Phongam opens on July 19, 2013.
Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think in the comments!
(Source: The Film Stage)
