'BIG BAD WOLVES': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Quentin Tarantino named this movie "The best film of the year" (for 2013). It's an Israeli dark comedy thriller that's just now getting a US release (after only playing at film festivals and in it's home country, theatrically, last year). It was written and directed by Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado (the duo previously wrote and directed the 2010 Israeli horror flick 'KALEVET'). This film tells the story of a cop and a father (out for revenge) who torture a teacher they think is a child murderer. The movie is extremely dark and twisted (with a very bizarre sense of humor) and full of interesting character development but it's definitely not the masterpiece Tarantino has made it out to be.
The story revolves around a school teacher, named Dror (Rotem Keinan), who is suspected to be behind a recent child abduction. Micki (Lior Ashkenazi) leads a police unit which illegally apprehends and beats him. Dror is released from custody due to lack of evidence, and police brutality, and Micki is fired (when video of the teacher's beating is leaked on YouTube). Another police officer, named Rami (Menashe Noy), takes over the investigation as Micki seeks to clear his name; by kidnapping Dror and beating a confession out of him. The father of a recent victim, Gidi (Tzahi Grad), also has the same idea and he kidnaps both the teacher and Micki and locks them in the basement of an abandoned house (where he plans to stop at nothing to find justice for his daughter).
I liked most of the films Tarantino had on his 'Top Ten Movies of 2013 so far' list, quite a bit (and the ones he's listed in previous years), but this movie I found to be kind of disappointing. It's well made, intense and interesting (to a certain extent) but I have a really hard time seeing why Tarantino would call it the best movie of last year. Putting all high expectations aside though it is a decent thriller; well acted and impressively written and directed. I think Keshales and Papushado seem like a talented filmmaking team to watch out for; just don't expect one of the best movies of 2013 (or any year).
Quentin Tarantino named this movie "The best film of the year" (for 2013). It's an Israeli dark comedy thriller that's just now getting a US release (after only playing at film festivals and in it's home country, theatrically, last year). It was written and directed by Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado (the duo previously wrote and directed the 2010 Israeli horror flick 'KALEVET'). This film tells the story of a cop and a father (out for revenge) who torture a teacher they think is a child murderer. The movie is extremely dark and twisted (with a very bizarre sense of humor) and full of interesting character development but it's definitely not the masterpiece Tarantino has made it out to be.
The story revolves around a school teacher, named Dror (Rotem Keinan), who is suspected to be behind a recent child abduction. Micki (Lior Ashkenazi) leads a police unit which illegally apprehends and beats him. Dror is released from custody due to lack of evidence, and police brutality, and Micki is fired (when video of the teacher's beating is leaked on YouTube). Another police officer, named Rami (Menashe Noy), takes over the investigation as Micki seeks to clear his name; by kidnapping Dror and beating a confession out of him. The father of a recent victim, Gidi (Tzahi Grad), also has the same idea and he kidnaps both the teacher and Micki and locks them in the basement of an abandoned house (where he plans to stop at nothing to find justice for his daughter).
I liked most of the films Tarantino had on his 'Top Ten Movies of 2013 so far' list, quite a bit (and the ones he's listed in previous years), but this movie I found to be kind of disappointing. It's well made, intense and interesting (to a certain extent) but I have a really hard time seeing why Tarantino would call it the best movie of last year. Putting all high expectations aside though it is a decent thriller; well acted and impressively written and directed. I think Keshales and Papushado seem like a talented filmmaking team to watch out for; just don't expect one of the best movies of 2013 (or any year).