Let's define fast-paced: Jason Statham on a life-or-death adrenaline rush (Crank) this is not. I'd call this the art house definition of fast-paced, which means that the movie gives you just enough time to look at the screen and take in what the cinematography has to tell.
With that out of the way, here are the pros: It's immersive. It's heavily visual and you are a fly on the wall. The ambient sound is very well done (the music is another story). The intimacy is amazingly done (the sex, not so much), and there are a few powerful scenes of friendship, family and love. There's the struggle of the characters to become the better predator in this desolate concrete jungle, and this shifting dynamic is shown in a clever and disturbing way. The non-verbal acting is very good, especially from the lead female talent.
And now for the cons. They wouldn't seem so glaring if most of the movie weren't so nicely understated. SPOILER: the insomnia isn't nearly as central to the plot as the title would have you believe. It feels tacked on. The sex and action scenes have poor choreography and worse execution. I've seen better at an amateur wrestling match. The scene where the gypsy places her curse is just plain awful. The music often exaggerates the mood to the point of being ridiculous. The voiced acting is often ham-fisted, notably from the supporting male talent.
So there you have it...a very good movie marred by a few errors. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and I recommend it. It reminds me of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and True Romance, but with a distinctive style of its own and much darker. It also has a very slight Casino feel.
Normally, I would say rent before you buy, but I picked mine up on a whim at a dollar store...I have no buyer's remorse, and I certainly don't plan on sliding it under a drink.
6.4/10.
With that out of the way, here are the pros: It's immersive. It's heavily visual and you are a fly on the wall. The ambient sound is very well done (the music is another story). The intimacy is amazingly done (the sex, not so much), and there are a few powerful scenes of friendship, family and love. There's the struggle of the characters to become the better predator in this desolate concrete jungle, and this shifting dynamic is shown in a clever and disturbing way. The non-verbal acting is very good, especially from the lead female talent.
And now for the cons. They wouldn't seem so glaring if most of the movie weren't so nicely understated. SPOILER: the insomnia isn't nearly as central to the plot as the title would have you believe. It feels tacked on. The sex and action scenes have poor choreography and worse execution. I've seen better at an amateur wrestling match. The scene where the gypsy places her curse is just plain awful. The music often exaggerates the mood to the point of being ridiculous. The voiced acting is often ham-fisted, notably from the supporting male talent.
So there you have it...a very good movie marred by a few errors. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and I recommend it. It reminds me of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and True Romance, but with a distinctive style of its own and much darker. It also has a very slight Casino feel.
Normally, I would say rent before you buy, but I picked mine up on a whim at a dollar store...I have no buyer's remorse, and I certainly don't plan on sliding it under a drink.
6.4/10.
