Saturday 7 July 2018

Wild Tales (Relatos Salvajes)

This is a wonderful Spanish film which explores six awful situations in which the people involved are largely out for revenge. Some are long-standing grudges, some instant gratification issues, some illegal and corrupt, and some dangerous. But most are violent, tragic and darkly funny. Comic co-incidences which could have been written by the hand of Woody Allen, direction and camerawork which could have come from Tarantino. It is, however, written and directed superbly by Damián Szifron. I love what he does with the camera which is a joy to watch alone.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I've never heard of any of the players, as the huge cast seem to have mainly spent time in European Cinema, but they all seem to do a fine job - and yes, it's subtitled for English. But don't let that put you off. It'll be your loss.

Each story is pretty much stand-alone and if you only want to watch some of it, grab the last one which is a story centred around a bride at her wedding reception who discovers her new husband is a cheat. The chaos, violence, mayhem and dark humour which ensues is a treat!

It's an observation of human behaviour and reaction, the pointlessness of revenge and the dangerous roads that it can lead one down. Thoroughly recommended.

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