To be completely honest, I wasn't sure what to expect when I walked into this film, only hoping that it would be funny. I'm happy to say, it was so much more than just funny. As Christopher Walken says in the film, "I like it. It has layers."
Seven Psychopaths is about three friends, one who is trying to write a screenplay for his next movie titled "Seven Psychopaths", and the other two who steal dogs for a living in the hopes that they can retrieve the reward money when they return the dogs back to their owners. The three of them get in a little trouble when one of the dogs that was stolen just happens to be the dog of a known killer. Events that go from there cannot be explained through a measly synopsis, so I encourage you all to see this film because it's kind of genius.
I really liked this film. It is so different than anything I've ever seen before, which I don't find myself saying often. I can't really compare it to anything. I have to say, a lot of credit goes to Martin McDonagh who wrote and directed the film. Colin Farrell's character, the screenplay writer, is named Marty in the film, and trust me, that irony didn't go unnoticed.
This film knew how to play with irony and how to really enjoy humour through irony, which seemed very strategic and well thought out, even though it appeared effortless. The acting was wonderful from absolutely everyone. I have to give special shout outs to Christopher Walken, who could probably make you crap your pants by just staring you down if he wanted to, and Sam Rockwell who played his character with such enthusiasm that you really could believe him to be a psychopath. I didn't forget Woody Harrelson and, of course, Colin Farrell who never disappoint no matter what character they take on.
So more about the film itself. The plot may seem all over the place, but there are a lot of subplots that tie up neatly at the end and throughout, which I enjoyed. I also really had fun with the obvious homage that was being paid to past gun-killing psychopath films and the many villains/ heroes those films produced. I found that Walken said it perfectly - this film really does have layers and as an audience member I had an amazing time trying to peal those layers away. I really want to see it a second time, just to get the full effect of it. Once didn't seem like enough.
Oh, and I liked how in the film, they basically give you a formula for how the film is going to go and why. It's subtle, but there are hints of it everywhere.
I also want to point out that this film didn't try to just be comedic or bloody with all the killings. It had depth in the characters as well, which a lot of directors might not have bothered with otherwise. I appreciated this as an avid movie goer. Somehow, you find yourself really feeling for some of the characters even among the most ludicrous things that were going on around them. That is not an easy thing to accomplish, I'm sure. So again, everyone who was involved in this film did an amazing job.
Okay, now my verdict. I give this film 8.7/10 for standing out among so many films, and for making me laugh and cringe all at the same time. (I would also point out, not all of you will care for the blood and guts that pour out in this film. Don't say that I didn't give you fair warning)
