Serious Movie Lover

SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS (2012/IN THEATERS)   Ha! This funny and crazy film was written and directed by Martin McDonagh who also brought us the little masterpiece In Bruges (2008), one of my personal all-time favorites.  Seven Psychopaths has already won the People’s Choice Award at Toronto this year—but in the Midnight Madness category, mind you.  Fitting.  Though not nearly as tight or well-written as In Bruges, my friends and I found ourselves laughing out loud frequently at this one–which centers on an Irish screenwriter named Marty (Colin Farrell) who has a title for his next work but that’s about all.  The title?  Seven Psychopaths, of course.  Enter Marty’s buddy Billy (a fabulous Sam Rockwell) who places an ad seeking psychopaths in LA to come to his house and tell their tales to Marty.  Only one comes—Zachariah (played by Tom Waits) but he has quite a story to tell.  And really, Billy and his friend Hans (the ever fabulous Christopher Walken) already have enough storyline for any screenwriter.  Hans makes a living by kidnapping pets and then returning them for handsome ransoms.  Billy is his right-hand man who unfortunately kidnaps Bonny—the favorite little Shih Tzu belonging to gangster Charlie (Woody Harrelson).  Soon the blood begins to flow as Charlie’s gang discovers Bonny’s whereabouts.  Actually, I should say that the blood started to flow from the very opening minutes of this film, in a definite ode to Pulp Fiction.  Indeed, you’ll be thinking about Tarentino while watching this movie. It’s fun and the plot, such as it is, turns back on itself in an admirable and more than amusing way.  My advice: if you enjoyed In Bruges and Pulp Fiction, this movie’s for you.  Catch it soon and have a great time!

Grade:             A-