A man goes on a demented quest for vengeance against
a murderous hippie cult and a gang of demonic bikers. HORROR
|
Mandy (2018)Directed by Panos Cosmatos
Written by Panos Cosmatos and Aaron Stewart-Ahn Starring Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, Linus Roache, Ned Dennehy, Olwen Fouéré, Richard Brake, Bill Duke |
Mandy is a hell of a ride. Critics have praised it for the past year, calling it Nicolas Cage's comeback movie. I gotta say, they were right on all counts. I don't know what the hell this movie has, but it's a gem. It's unlike anything I've ever seen before, from the nightmarish villains to its colorfully surreal visuals. It is very much a vehicle for Nicolas Cage to let loose like he never has before, and to remind everyone that he is an Academy Award-winning actor who deserves our respect.
Cage plays Red, a man in love with the enigmatic Mandy (Andrea Riseborough). When he and his love are attacked by a vicious gang of hippies led by the psychotic Jeremiah (Linus Roache), Red goes on a vengeance quest to destroy them all. Ultimately, it's the cinematography that tells the story, with the actors all playing second fiddle to the camera itself. Panos Cosmatos paints a unique picture with blood and tears, creating a visceral horror masterwork that echos Italian classics like Suspiria. Nicolas Cage is in top form, delivering a raw, emotional performance of a man pushed to the brink and then some. His breakdown following the hippie attack is one of the finest scenes in his career, and in a perfect world, he'd be a contender for Oscar gold yet again for Mandy. I really hope this film gets Cage to be more selective with his scripts. There's still a great actor in there. I want to see him again. |