LIFF31 2017 #5

"Joe, wake up. It's a beautiful day".

"You Were Never Really Here" is a cold and brutal revenge story that isn't for everybody. Wasn't a slow burn or the usual art house film you'd expect. The story is straight forward; we see a suicidal, possibly sexual abused veteran trying to rescue a missing girl from sex slavery, but it's presentation is different. After it was over, I struggle to collect my thoughts and needed to take time to suck all the details.

But the more I think about it, the more I like and appreciate it. Themes play a big part, instead of plot. Leaving you to fill in the gapes. This might be frustrating for some people.

Joaquin Phoenix was amazing, as usual. The way he portrays a soft and rough person with a long history of violence told through his eyes. Phoenix was extraordinary to watch. You can feel the sweat, blood, and tears come off the screen in a couple of scenes.

Lynne Ramsay manges to build up this atmosphere and anxiety through her excellent directing. Even the on/off-screen violence made the film's energy of brutality so uncombable. Mixed with Jonny Greenwood's vicious and tense soundtrack. Of course the trashy and beautiful cinematography, only adds to the dream-like feel of it.

Issues I had with the film (which are small) is how too simply the storyline is or the flashback scenes could have been executed a little better. That's really it, to be honest.

Overall rating: Interesting look on the new "Taxi Driver".

"Joe, wake up. It's a beautiful day".

"You Were Never Really Here" is a cold and brutal revenge story that isn't for everybody. Wasn't a slow burn or the usual art house film you'd expect. The story is straight forward; we see a suicidal, possibly sexual abused veteran trying to rescue a missing girl from sex slavery, but it's presentation is different. After it was over, I struggle to collect my thoughts and needed to take time to suck all the details.

But the more I think about it, the more I like and appreciate it. Themes play a big part, instead of plot. Leaving you to fill in the gapes. This might be frustrating for some people.

Joaquin Phoenix was amazing, as usual. The way he portrays a soft and rough person with a long history of violence told through his eyes. Phoenix was extraordinary to watch. You can feel the sweat, blood, and tears come off the screen in a couple of scenes.

Lynne Ramsay manages to build up this atmosphere and anxiety through her excellent directing. Even the on/off-screen violence made the film's energy of brutality so uncomfortable. Mixed with Jonny Greenwood's vicious and tense soundtrack. Of course the trashy and beautiful cinematography, only adds to the dream-like feel of it.

Issues I had with the film (which are small) is how too simply the story line is or the flashback scenes could have been executed a little better. That's really it, to be honest.

Overall rating: Interesting look on the new "Taxi Driver".

The way this movie was hyped up in the press about it being the Next ‘Taxi Driver’obviously raised my expectations and Phoenix being the Antihero ah-la Travis Brickle .

Well, did I get letdown like a disappointed kid at Xmas when he didn’t get what he expected.

If Phoenix won best actor at the Sundance Festival for his performance in this film.

Then I’m decidedly in the wrong profession. He had a one dimensional character, very dark and not much else to him.

The hammer being the ‘DIY’ tool of choice , which you never actually see it nailing anything.

And there’s no real curiosity or imagination attached to the extent of him using the ‘hammer’.

If you haven’t seen ‘The Professional’
With Natalie Portman and Luc Besson and Gary Oldman as a real lunatic cop.
Then do yourself a favor and rather watch it.

I was largely disappointed in this film and it doesn’t live up to anything it’s primed to.

Not Memorable.

I did not feel as positively about _You Were Never Really Here_ as most people seem to have, but I **do** absolutely recommend it. One of Jaoquin Phoenix's best roles, and that is about as far from small praise as it gets.

_Final rating:★★★ - I liked it. Would personally recommend you give it a go._