Director: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken, Tom Waits, Abbie Cornish, and Olga Kurylenko
Running Time: 110 minutes
Certificate: 15
Playwright Martin McDonagh’s IN BRUGES was a surprise hit when in cinemas 5 years ago with a script packed with great humour and emotion. With such a well received debut it’s a daunting task for McDonagh to follow it up with something equally good, but for the most part he succeeds. SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS comes close in terms of wit, character and laugh out loud moments. The plot is the film’s weakest point becoming muddled and too self aware around the halway point – however a strong start and a great ending more than make up for the indulgence.
Whilst the humour is a definite plus, it’s the film’s tenderness that really shines through as its strongest point. All of the film’s titular psychopaths act out of a deranged sort of love for something or someone and that helps make them relatable and the film gain more substance. The performances are all great but Christopher Walken stands out especially as he switches between funny, melancholic and seething with a deep-seated rage. A scene between him and the scrupulous crime boss (Woody Harrelson) that cares about nothing but his little dog is nothing short of mesmerising and a timely reminder of just how good Walken is. If you come to the film to see the fairly high billed Abbie Cornish or Olga Kurylenko however, you will be sorely disappointed as they maybe have about 10-15 minutes of screen time between them, a fact referenced in Martin’s (Colin Farrell) inability to write female characters.
Ultimately, while the film does not quite reach the highs of IN BRUGES, SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS is a solid film that leaves you hoping we will not have to wait another five years for Martin McDonagh’s next film.
SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS is out on DVD & Blu-Ray on 15th April in the UK from Momentum Pictures
