Director: Martin McDonagh
Cast: Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Tom Waits
Running Time: 106 mins
Plot: Marty (Farrell), a professional screenwriter and metaboliser of ethanol, is struggling to write his next script, despite the unwanted help of his endearing, though mentally unstable friend, Billy (Rockwell). When Billy unknowingly kidnaps the beloved shih tzu of an LA mob boss (Harrelson), he places himself, Marty, and Billy’s mutt-thieving business partner, Hans (Walken), in mortal danger.
Full of the fantastic witty banter we have come to expect from the brothers McDonagh, Martin (IN BRUGES), and John Michael (THE GUARD), SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS is a self-reflexive critique on all things macho.
The larger-than-life characters derive partly from magical realism, as they, and their world, are cloaked in a mythical ambience. There are also no heroes or villains of the piece. Instead, each character displays a wide range of morally questionable, and redeeming actions in a refreshingly astute and thoughtful depiction of the modern male. Furthermore, Marty, who appears to be the personification of McDonagh’s creative side, conveys the inner struggle of the writer to the audience, in what is a deeply amusing, self-referential style.
Few taboos are left unravaged as McDonagh proceeds to rip apart the crime drama genre, its conventions and its clichés, with his delectable brand of dry satirical humour. A particularly comical example comes in the form of a candid discussion about the role of women in the genre, resulting in the characters deciding that women don’t talk, because they’re shot and killed before they have the opportunity.
SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS is an original comedy, bolstered by an elite group of actors, who clearly dedicate themselves to their respective roles. Although similar in style to his previous works, McDonagh addresses new content, adding further dimensions to his canon, and the result is satisfying. Could we have a new auteur in our midst?
SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS is out Wednesday 5th December.
