sublime, funny, violent, unpredictable

Rating: 9/10 (11 January 2018)

Nothing goes where it's suppose to in this movie, well done! The director of "In Bruges" does it again here, sardonic, well written, and you get rape/murder, suicide, heavy violence and unexpected moments of humor, kindness and bad behavior. The acting was faultless/inspired, editing spot on, music just right and characters changed and hard to characterize through out. Only real problem is that the supposed "bad guy" plotting was off, it's not clear why this guy showed up in the gift shop, no backstory, why this guy from Idaho is in Missouri. The only possible explanation is that it doesn't need an explanation, violence in the US is so ubiquitous and sometimes random, and linking it to unspeakable acts perpetrated by US troops in foreign lands that clearly has an effect back in the US is important. So when Dixon responds to the place with sands comment by saying "that doesn't narrow it down" the director is making a point. Still, I don't get the gift shop threat. Also, Abie Cornish had a silly accent, not sure what was happening there, and she was far too young to be the wife, sorry, getting sick of such huge differences in age as if that is "normal." These are quibbles though, this is a movie that matters, art versus simple entertainment. You feel the director's power and choices here. Oh, btw, the Guardian hit on this movie that it doesn't properly address African american issues properly is a category error, poorly reasoned and almost purposely obtuse in it's analysis. Go to this movie, run don't walk.