Lawless

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A screenplay by Nick Cave, set in Depression times USA, with ruthless guys and gorgeous women. And, of course, great music. What else do you need? Some violence? Well, I'm glad that's what you want!

It is indeed violent. Very much so. Some scenes made me wince, others made me laugh. Not in a 'this is so cheesy' way at all, but more in a 'Oh, Nick, you crazy bastard!' kind of way. It is apparently a real story and the screenplay is based on a book I haven't read. I don't know how much was, shall we say, romanticized by the original author who, unless it's some very weird coincidence, seems to be a direct descendent of the protagonists. Then I don't know how much Nick added. I mean his themes are all present here: redemption, religion, ruthlessness, dark humor, love, man's foolishness and pettiness. Hopelessness. And some more ruthlessness.

Which brings us to Guy Pearce, whose character is evil and loathesome beyond words. Sure, it is a little cartoonish, but he's truly awesome in his creepiness. What we don't see makes you wonder even more. For example the long shot on a woman's naked body, sitting on the edge of the bed and crying as Guy dresses himself. You don't know what happened and you don't really want to know what happened. And it's such a rare things these days to be able to use your imagination.

The only small thing I could say is that sometimes the film felt a bit too episodic. Meaning: now there's a scene about them working. Cut to a scene of them drinking. Cut to a scene of them doing something else. It felt like some linking scenes were missing. Also, when Shia walks around missing a shoe, in the next scene he's got both shoes on, but it's apparently a different day and I hadn't understood that (I admit I didn't pay attention to the clothes so I don't know if they're different between the two scenes). And also, when he gets thrown down some stairs you can totally see that he lands on a mat under some leaves. But oh well.

Sure, I'm pretty convinced that women at that time did not look as clean and lean as the women in this film. But, hey: I'm not complaining.

The dialogue is pretty fun at times, too. Especially the main guy's, who's a man of few words and usually says: 'Uhm... Hmm.' And you always know what he means and what he's thinking about.

Then there's Shia... I admit that when I heard he was in the film it made me go 'uh oh.' But I was surprised by the fact that he didn't suck. Also, I thought that if one day someone makes a David Gahan film, Shia should play him.

Gary Oldman is also in there. For too short a time, he's really an extended cameo. But the first two times you see him, for a few seconds, he manages to steal the show. Of course. I mean him getting out of a car with a Tommy gun, smoking a cigarillo an readjusting his suit jacket... That's just so Oldman and so priceless. Plus, come on: can you think of anything cooler than Gary Oldman firing a Tommy gun? I sure can't. Except maybe Oldman firing two Tommy guns.

Speaking of cameos... If you blink you'll miss it, but make sure you look at the first dead body you see, the one sitting on the passenger seat of a shot out car.

So there you have it. A fun film with lots and lots of blood, some really good acting and a strong screenplay (as if I'd say anything else about something written by Mr Cave) and great music (as if I'd say anything else about something written by Mr Cave). If you're queasy at the sight of blood, you should definitely give this film a pass. If you want to see something fun and violent and see guy Pearce being a total asshole, then go see this film!