Writer: Wilson Chong

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Watch this if you liked: “Pulp Fiction” & “Reservoir Dogs”

If you've watched "Pulp Fiction" before and generally love the works of Quentin Tarantino, you would definitely love writer-director Martin McDonagh's "Seven Psychopaths". Quentin Tarantino has inspired many other directors to follow his style and "Seven Psychopaths" is a refreshing take on a tried-and-tested formula.

The movie, "Seven Psychopaths" takes a few tips and tricks from the famous American crime thriller film, "Pulp Fiction". The most striking similarity between the two films is the storyline. Both films employ sequences which relate to each other. Both films also involve lots of guns and blood as evident right at the first scene for "Seven Psychopaths".

The movie's plot starts off by introducing us to Marty Faranan (Colin Farrell), an alcoholic Irish screen writer who lives in Los Angeles with his girlfriend Kaya (Abbie Cornish). He is suffering from writer's block. The script which he is working on is aptly named "Seven Psychopaths". In a way, the film also counts as 'The Making Of "Seven Psychopaths"'.

Marty's script-writing process takes a step forward when his chaotic actor friend, Billy (Sam Rockwell) places an advertisement in the papers calling for psychopaths to share their story to inspire the movie script. Only one person answers to the listing and it turns out to be Zachariah Rigby (Tom Waits), a killer of serial killers! Plenty of crime sprees and serial killings continue on to fill the plot. The story progresses to include a dog kidnapping, a wife with cancer, a cheating girlfriend, a dog-obsessed mobster and a psychopath who kills only mid to high ranking members of the mafia. It's quite hard to see the relevance between such bizarre story elements in parts, but the movie manages to blend them all in harmony.

The chemistry between the actors is so good that you wished they would stay in the desert for one more night. Billy's inclination to violence and his unpredictability is great fun to watch alongside Marty's rational and peace-loving ways. The chemistry is more delightful to watch after you add in the philosophical Hans (Christopher Walken) with a sad past and a cute Shih Tzu named Bonny.

The film contains lots of meta-story. A good example of it is each person's interpretation of the Vietnamese monk (the token Asian character for this film) sequence. Marty wants a tale of revenge, while Billy wants a big showdown. Hans, on the other hand, chose a more religious ending for the Vietnamese monk. Even Marty's entire script-writing process counts as a meta-story if viewers care to wait long enough for the inter-credit scene featuring Marty and Zachariah.

The cinematography here is merely average. There aren't any particularly artistic shots like "Judge Dredd" (2012). Neither is there anything revolutionary like "Inception". However, credit should be given to the film for a great introduction of every psychopath, complete with their own title on the screen. Another well-shot scene is the final showdown scene imagined by Billy, done in the style of "Hot Fuzz", where (almost!) every character engages each other with blazing weapons.

The special effects are relatively minimal, with only gunshot wounds, burning bodies and severed limbs needed for this film.

Special mention should be given to Hans, a con man who kidnaps dogs and returns them to their owner for the reward money, and his ailing wife Myra (Linda Bright Clay). Their acting in this film is top notch. They are living proof that age is no barrier when it comes to the acting industry.

"Seven Psychopaths" is a crazy ride to the funny bone with splashes of blood. Crime film lovers wouldn't be disappointed.

Cinema Online, 22 January 2013