Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh (“In Bruges”) returns with “Seven Psychopaths,” a brutally funny film about mobsters, an alcoholic screenwriter, and an adorable shih tzu. Judging from the advertisements and trailers, the film isn’t exactly what you expect. It is an irreverent black comedy that is consistent with bloody violence and bad language that brings laughs easier than both.
Colin Farrell plays the alcoholic screenwriter Marty struggling to come out with his newest screenplay, “Seven Psychopaths.” With the help of his friend Billy Bickle, (Sam Rockwell) a struggling actor, they try to find psychopaths to write about. Billy’s side gig happens to be kidnapping dogs for the reward money with Hans (Christopher Walken) which ends up getting them all in the sights of a ruthless gangster (Woody Harrelson) for stealing his dog, Bonny the Shih Tzu. The film also includes hilarious performances by Harry Dean Stanton, Michael Stuhlbarg, Kevin Corrigan, Michael Pitt, and Tom Waits – among others.
Sam Rockwell stands out among all the incredibly fantastic, comedic performances. He has never been better or funnier, with Farrell et al playing with perfect chemistry. In a way, it is a violent comedy much like in the style of a Quentin Tarantino ’90s film or any other classic in the genre back then. It even brings to mind the classics of the Coen Bros. with Carter Burwell’s score. It’s just all around good fun filled with witty dialogue and ferocious violence.
There is no doubt that this film will provide extremely memorable quotes – especially from Farrell, Walken, and Rockwell. It isn’t predictable in any way, the story is told in an interesting movie within a movie sort of way with twists. Plus, it takes after the notion of Tarantino’s characters: anyone can get killed abruptly after showing them in a darkly favorable way – keeping the audience really into it. It walks the fine line between comedy and dark drama with genius execution. This film comes highly recommended, being one of the best comedies of the year – and the most noteworthy.
“Seven Psychopaths” is now playing in theaters everywhere.
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