Seven Psychopaths

I walked into this movie expecting a wild action heavy violence driven movie with lots of quips and one liners. I left this movie having seen a dialogue heavy story that was driven augmented by action and violence. The basic plot is Marty (Colin Ferrell) is a screen writer who's latest idea is Seven Psychopaths. The only problem is, he cannot think up psychopaths to his liking, and his creative process id stymied. But with his best buddy Billy (Sam Rockwell) and Hans (Christopher Walken) he finds all the psychopaths he needs.

There is most definitely plenty of violence and action in this movie. Blown up heads, cut throats, bullet wounds, but being a bunch of psychos it is done without dumbing down or taking away from all of the stories this movie has to tell. When the action shows up it is plenty over the top so as to make up the time it had missed. It was really bloody and fun.

But the real vehicle here is the story, or more accurately the stories. The main plot is as listed above, but there are many little subplots and mysteries that come about that really make this tangled web an interesting one. Those subplots are usually used to reveal or affirm another Psychopath, and to give important back story to the characters you will enjoy. The goals are traditional for some and not for others. How they get there matches their destination. I would love to tell you may favorites, but that would be spoiling it for you.

Ferrel's character goes along for the ride of his life compiling a list of lunatics to add to his screen play. His flaws are outweighed by his friends and desire to make a good character. He is the lead in an off center kind of way Kind of like Capt. Jack in Pirates 4. Sam Rockwell (who is awesome in general) is Ferrel's bestie. He is dedicated to the betterment of his pal, and dedicated to his pals just in general. He is as crazy as a bag of cats in the best way possible. Christopher Walken (another one of my personal favorites) is Hans. He and Billy are... business partners. Hans brings a wonderful perspective, attitude, and humor to the group. His unique experiences make him a valuable member to our hero trio. Woody Harrelson is our villain. Though, with all the insane acts in this movie, the villain can be a point of view. He is hilarious and menacing all at the same time. He does not get the back story that most of the other characters get, but it is understood that he is bad and not to be messed with . The entire cast feels finely tuned so that no line is wasted.

On a personal not (as if this entire thing is not a personal note) the film deals in may ways with Marty's creative process. He is a writer who is stuck, and through the most extreme circumstances finds his juices and gets them flowing. Here at the start of film school i have been reading heavily on that very subject. In lost of ways I saw the principles of the books i have been reading personified, so in that way I enjoyed it even more.

All in all I didn't get what I had expected, but I really liked what I got. I enjoyed what I saw, and what I heard. The stories help you invest in the characters, and the action give you the kick it needs. And everyone is soo funny. Now some who don't like this Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction)  style won't like this, but I did. Very much so.
Hans: An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.
Billy: No, it doesn't. There'll be one guy left with one eye. How's the last blind guy gonna take out the eye of the last guy left?
MAN, I LOVE SAM ROCKWELL & CHIRSTOPHER WALKEN!


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