Mandy reviewed by Mark Kermode
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ต.ค. 2018
- Mark Kermode reviews Mandy. When Red Miller and Mandy Bloom’s life together is torn apart by a hippy cult, Red embarks on a mission of violent revenge.
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To me, Mandy is the reason cinema exists. A fantastical trip into a realm not too far removed from our own, but just a few inches from the center of it all to entice our phantasmagorical nature. A wild dream translated via celluloid. An extremely well made and unique experience worthy of immediate cult status.
Amazing, I couldn’t agree with you more
Hard agree
Agreed. 👍
It’s the only film I’ve watched that switched genres halfway thru like from dusk till dawn
uuh ok...and I think this is the worst nonsense ever produced, this has NOTHING to do with cinema xD
Cheddar Goblin!!
It's Gobblin Good!
It opened with King Crimson's Starless and just got better and better. What a gem of a movie. I'd all but given up on the horror genre, but this was phenomenal.
I just wish it didnt spend 50 minutes leading up to the point of the film, other than that its perfect.
@@mattemery4081
The opening is beautiful.
@@agarthastudio6005 It absolutely is, but i dont fully understand the point of all the dialogue other than to illustrate their relationship, which didnt really need to take almost an hour.
Linus Roache was terrific as Jeremiah. One of the best performances of a batshit crazy villain ever.
I loved this film. Properly cinematic, just pure audio-visual sumptuousness.
no mention of the humor in this. i mean, nic cage forging his own axe to wreak vengeance on the people who kill his wife. the scene were he drinks vodka in the bathroom is amazing...
You thought the bathroom scene was funny?
The chainsaw fight had me laughing in tears
@@nekrokulter For me, it was a mixture of cheering and laughter. And the bathroom scene is incredible.
Cheddar Goblin!
I love how whenever Mark asks a question that begins with "Have you heard of" or "Do you remember", Simon always responds with, "No." Seriously, it's been a consistent element since I started watching this channel in 2013.
Even if Simon does know the reference, he still says no because he is playing the every-man. This way the audience will always be able to keep up
Love the dry humour between these two. Looks like a good movie too!
Mark was close to damning Mandy with faint praise there. Clearly he liked it but I saw it and absolutely LOVED it and I was dying to hear his take on it. I thought he would adore it. Fantastic visuals, trippy half-reality, wonderful Andrea Riseborough performance and Nick Cage dialled up to eleven. What's not to love? I haven't enjoyed a movie more all year.
I was also disappointed with his luke warm reception.
What's not to love?
Well there isn't much of a story to it, it seems that in order to keep the kind of nightmarish sequentialism Mark refers to it removes itself of any need to uphold itself logically (how did Cage's character find the biker gang so easily, how did he manage to escape capture and death twice, etc). It's essentially a film about a woman getting killed and a guy then killing the killers. More style over substance, imo
Well this is awkward as I love this film, and this is my real name 😂 @FergFergus
@@billhicks8 Cage found the biker gang because Caruthers (Bill Duke) told him where to find the gang and the Chemist. Since Cage has taken the devillish drug in the biker's kitchen at that point, he and the Chemist mainly communicate by means of some form of telepathy, and the Chemist is telling him where to find the cult members. And are you seriously asking "how" he undid his barbed sheckles or freed himself in the biker gang's hideout? Because we're literally seeing *HOW* he does it.
As for "style-over-substance", it's easy to mistake Panos's films for that, but the deliberately vague plot is part of the appeal, it's an insistant part of his surreal fever dream style, which in fact is a nostalgig retro pastiche of many 70s and early-80s arthouse and cult film styles. This "lacking plot" being an advantage is pretty much what he's adopted especially from Argento and "Buckaroo Banzai", to a degree also from "Zardoz" (which is far from as perfect a movie as what Panos is making out of Boorman's style as well), the glacial pace is derived especially from Tarkovsky and Carpenter's student films, making the slow but overwhelming images talk iconographically instead of the character's sparse, often banal dialogues is derived from Kubrick's "2001", and especially "Mandy" (even moreso than his debut feature "Beyond the Black Rainbow") is permeated by the same distinct kind of psychedelic melancholia as is Carpenter's "Dark Star".
@@tlatosmd
Thanks for the extensive response.
In regards to your first paragraph, yes I know that he's told where to find the gang, what I needed to add to that if I wanted to explain what I meant is that there is nonetheless no "search" like there would be in other movies. I know this is generally a stylistic choice regarding its fever dream-esque approach to time, but I felt like it dislocated the usual tension I would look for in the build up to confronting the gang.
Also, no I'm not asking how he freed himself. I'm asking how he manages to do it twice, and how the escapes, while seen to be physically demanding, are still so straightforwardly overcome that either Cage's character has the universe leaning completely in his favour, or the gang are just incompetent.
There's this sort of blasé attitude to the details of time and plausibility in this film that just didn't sit well with me. It's obviously a deliberate stylistic choice, but there's no way around it; subjectively speaking, I just didn't find these choices compelling, even if I appreciated the general aesthetic, and the overall thrust of the film trying to focus on what "matters".
I understood the reference points, and I certainly appreciate your comparison to Argento, which I would have overlooked. I had no problems with the "glacial" pace overall, in fact I adore that style, however offering up the names of Kubrick and particularly Tarkovsky does not do a great service in this regard because then I remember how complete and satisfied I felt watching 2001, Andrei Rublev or even Solaris in comparison to this. I know you were just talking about pace, but yeah.
It opened with a King Crimson song. I was onboard immediately and absolutely enjoyed the ride. Great fun.
Indeed
Cosmatos, Cage, Johannsson (RIP). terrific. A worthy second effort after Beyond the Black Rainbow. Absolutely hallucinatory as Mark says. And hat tip to Johann's terrific sounds...like the bludgeoning self immolation of '80s era Swans meets Ligeti's existential tone clusters. This is sady the last we'll ever hear from him.
This film is frickin amazing, and it's NOT JUST because of Nick Cage' s great performance
You're right, Linus Roache was the best thing in it.
Very impressive film for a director so early in his career (only his second film)
I was floored by this movie. It gets mentioned a lot, but the fact it opens with a King Crimson song was jaw-dropping. If you know anything about the group, you know their music NEVER gets used in films. So, when that played over the melancholic opening, I was all in. I figured if they managed to convince Fripp to license the music, their artistic intent was true.
One of my favorite films of all time. Its visceral and brutal.
i thought this movie was bizarrely incredible - you have to just give in to it and let it take you where it wants. once you do that it really grabs you and pulls off everything pretty well: the cinematography was JAW DROPPING, the score, the hallucinogenic narrative and form, there were even a few hilarious shots. one word to describe this film, and i mean this in a good way: mental.
“George P Cosmatos director of Cassandra Crossing”? Sir! He directed the finest western of the modern age, Tombstone.
Nope, not that guy
George P Cosmatos is dead. Panos Cosmatos is his son.
val kilmer stole the show
I love how the film was an ethereal slowburn in the first half but all hell broke loose right after the surreal and somewhat hilarious Cheddar Goblin scene!
"I wasn't listening." Lol!
He has a very British wit. I love it.
The final scene with the villain is just perfect. 😁
this movie was gobblin' good
Mandy is my film of the year so far
So glad I got the chance to see this visually stunning movie in theaters.
I was waiting for this review❤️
Thanks for reading out my review! Made my weekend!
Any movie that features King Crimson is sort of a masterpiece
I felt like this movie was a mix between David Lynch Quentin Tarantino Dario Argento and Mad Max with a sprinkling of Hellraiser dipped in acid
Outside of "Eraserhead", Lynch is much too recent a reference when it comes to Panos's style, and Tarantino, while also referencing the 70s, is not only too recent but also much too puerile. Argento and, to a degree, "Hellraiser" are the two most spot-on from your list, but "Mandy" is most of all equal parts Argento + Jodorowsky, with a liberal dosage of Carpenter's "Dark Star"'s psychedelic melancholia, plus all the other 70s and early-80s arthouse and cult film influences that already were there in Panos's feature debut "Beyond the Black Rainbow" as well.
Perfect analogy!!!! (I just finished watching this btw!).
I'd add Sam Raimi to that
Gasper noe too
I can see Ken Russells Altered States in the mix. I can’t see the Argento influence if I’m honest. Suspiria had a definite pallet but beyond that nothing else. I’d put Ken Russell with David Lynch & yes Cenobites. Plus a good dose of dangerous cults ie Jim Jones , Manson Etc.
Gore fans and Texas Chainsaw are not a direct connection Mark! You know that. Texas gore is all in the audiences mind.
THANK YOU
I was thinking exactly the same!
Ice Hockey is Pretty Pretty Good Take the point but the Gore definition
(blood that has been shed, especially as a result of violence) is more true of Mandy than it is Texas.
For fans of the film: The film is a great success at the box office and VOD! Cosmatos will no doubt get his next film funded and Cage might be having a rennaissance now. Happy with the film and its success.
The visuals are dreamingly beautiful and hooked me within minutes of its opening also the soundtrack is amazing and if you complete it on iTunes by purchasing the two additional tracks missing from the official release and place the King Crimson track first then put Jeremiah Sand in between Black Skulls and Death and Ashes then move Chainsaw Fight following Waste and then listen it’s absolutely haunting..I recommend watching it on VR too,that was my first movie through that medium and again beautiful
Easily one of the best of the year. Very hallucinogenic and at times beautiful.
Man, I love when Mark's reviews start to get heady and Simon has to make sense of it or pull him back. Also, that last line is a great descriptor, and Simon's reaction was great.
I can't wait to see the movie. I wish it had gotten a wide release here in the US, as everything I've heard makes it seem like a movie I should watch on the big screen, but it was not to be. I will be seeing it as soon as i can though.
I love this movie, and even wound up purchasing it. The performances are wonderfully over the top, except for Angela Riseborough, who was just perfect in her own way. Some gorgeous and striking visuals too. I never saw "Beyond The Black Rainbow", but now I'm very interested.
By all means, do see BtBR!
At least you didn't say the character development took too long.
The winter Olympics called, they want their ski jump back.
A production made for Cage. Like “Joe” Cage makes us concentrate on the visual narrative, the world that exists around us, atmosphere. You become ultimately fixated to the screen anxiously anticipating the next scene (total revenge) and it’s the environment that sets the whole tone. Where most other or previous films have failed in this form or genre, Mandy is the quintessential
avengement story. Cage delivers an inflicting savage like retributive punishment & we get all the satisfaction in a hypnotic, psychedelic dream like vision which takes you on a trip & beyond.
PS multiple viewings are worth the time you pick up subliminal plots everytime
Easily one of the best movies this year.
I've been waiting for Mark to see this one. Glad he seemed to enjoy it, although somewhat let down by his lack of research or assessment of it, but not exactly surprised. There's much more to be said about this marvelous and rare film, but at least it's gaining more and more traction and becoming a true sleeper hit destined for a cult classic status. Here's hoping Nic grabs another statue for his performance!
Excellent flick. Freak'n loved it. 🎥
Proper throw back artistic cinema, hypnotic, soporific and horrifying all at once!
Calvaire was trippy enough as it was, hard to imagine a more out of it version
Loved this.it put me in a trance for two hours.visually incredible and nic cages best film in years.
Need to see this!!
Loved it...finally a worthy film for a Sunday double feature with Beyond The Black Rainbow.
I still loved the movie, i just wish it was a little more explicitly 'interdimensional' fantasy like Heavy Metal. The trailer kind of felt that way to me.
Kermode goofed when he mentioned "Red State". He mentioned the character, Michael Cooper, but it was actually Pastor Abin Cooper played by Michael Parks.
This film along with A Prayer before Dawn are the best films I’ve seen in ages. I’m really surprised Mark didn’t rate this more. It’s superb.
This film is better and more sophisticated than you gave it credit for. And you didn't even mention the score by Johannsson. Have another watch and rethink it.
"You have to have a very high IQ to understand Mandy."
I would have expected more enthusiasm from this review. Kind of disappointed in the edge of snark, especially about Cage, who is one of our best actors, and truly a very special artist. I adore the film, although, as I’m less interested in fight scenes, have always enjoyed the first half more than the second. That said, on my third screening of the movie it fell into place and I stopped resisting that end violence - it is a revenge film after all. Cannot wait for the next from Cosmatos.
I liked this movie. It was really original and the visuals and sound design were fantastic. Even nic cage was good and I've not been able to say that in a fair while now.
What Danish movie he was referring to? Is any good?
You ripped my shirt!!!
I'm thinking the film critic he was referring to might have been Kim Newman.
I think you’re probably right.
Loved it, though more for the trippy, spaced-out and disconcerting visuals and audio than the violence. If anything, I kinda wish the gore had been dialled down a notch, and the woozy uncertainty of the first half had continued - the gore bits are fun, but it does move the film away from art and into extreme horror. Still, amazing and unsettling experience.
Perfect cast
This film is sounding better and better all the time.
So it's Zardoz for the 2010's then?
Panos's style does also take from "Zardoz", yes. I only think that Panos's films are far more achieved by highly polishing and refining all that's good about his vintage influences and turning it up to 11.
I am not a horror fan at all , so much dirge recently so I only watched this as I am a massive fan of Johann Johanssen and wanted to hear how his soundtrack that I already loved fitted the film, I thought this film was brilliant and perfect in every way, thoroughly recommend it. RIP Johann
One of the best movies of the year, one of the best of Cage’s performances, everything about it is top notch.
It is Art.
It’s symbolism is wasted on the profane.
As always...
I watched it this weekend, yes it is very artistic & I'm not into chainsaw horrors either but it didn't feel like one so yeah Mark has it right.
Amazing film just a shame that it only has one screening in Manchester at Showcase cinemas next Thursday evening, at least i will see it again at HOME in a few weeks but one screening next week and screening at the Prince Charles in London doesnt really count as a full release does it? Still if you get a chance see it its brilliant!
This film should have been titled "The Nic Cageiest Thing You Will Ever Witness." Because that is what it is: Nic Cage dialed up to 1,000. And it is legitimately, unironically A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
I just saw the film and it struck me as a wonderful spiritual continuation of the National Treasure franchise.
Well I've never heard of Cassandra Crossing, but the trailer looks epic...Lee Strasberg?!?!!! I didn't think it possible to top Escape to Athena, Cobra, Rambo II and Tombstone, but maybe it is!!!
Not any mention of the awesome wall to wall Johann soundtrack?? It makes the movie(which is basically a Rock Opera) Live action Heavy Metal, If that doesn't entice you, maybe the movie won't either.
One of the best films I've ever seen.
my new favorite film.
Why didn't he discuss the amazing soundtrack?
I just caught Mandy at a midnight movie at my local arthouse. I thought there were good things in it but the elements didn't work together. If you take a sheet of paper and write "patient, skillfully developed luminous psychedelic horror movie" on the left half and "ultraviolent Nicolas Cage retro superhero vengeance biker murderfest" on the other and start writing down the film's various elements and plot points where they belong you will catch my drift. The movie constantly shifted gears without pushing in the clutch and it ruined both halves of the flick. Along with that criticism, various elements were badly handled: The genuinely psychedelic elements of the movie were clumsily and explicitly assigned to the characters doing LSD - but the film never made enough of an ally of the viewer to induct them into the hippie cult. They just seemed like pathetic losers, like the Manson family. You can't have that cake and eat it, too. Nicolas Cage's (and it was just Nic Cage, not a character) journey into his dead girlfriend's world of drekky 80's fantasy was clumsily and explicitly printed on the screen. The most exciting parts of the movie were in the middle - the ending was a foregone anticlimax. Oops wrote too much again.
So you're basically saying one has to prescribe to the occult in order to appreciate psychedelic art? And the person above me is right, the cult are meant to be depicted as losers.
I saw this tripping balls and loved it. I will watch it with a straight head next time I hope it's still trippy
@007 CM it was very trippy I have yet to watch it with a straight head but it was great
Loved this movie.
I can see it will be either hated or loved, with not many in between.
Much better than Beyond the Black Rainbow, imo.
I wish more movies had this level of cinematography, and selection of music and film score.
Cage has very little dialogue, as the part written for him was the cult leader. He gets to chew some scenery, but this isn't one of his straight to VOD, pay my taxes movies. It is surreal, violent, yet has some of the most visually beautiful moments I've seen in a long time. As Kermode says, some will check out when the movie slows up, especially after the vengeance starts.
If you think it's boring you in the fist thirty minutes, just hang in there, because it revs up to 11 quickly.
bought it on blu-ray just love it kinda reminds me of david lynch's dune the colour saturation is great a total midnight movie smoke'em if you gottem
First thing I thought about when I seen the trailer was hellraiser after watching this movie it’s probably my top 5 all time favorite movie maybe best
Where is this film playing?? It does not appear to be playing at Odeon, Vue or Cineworld
only few cinemas are showing the film, it should be on VOD very soon
@@TheVIRUSofLIFE565 In fact, it has been on Shudder VOD since October.
Class film..great performance from cage🖒
Best movie of the year so far
The bit with the wasp is the bit that gives me the heeby jeebies.
Did anyone think of Josey Wales when he woke up and was looking at the lizard? Probably not but I did. Great great movie. Nic cage amazing
What was this Belgian film called? Kelvin?
Chase Steffensen Calvaire. Worth checking out, especially if you liked Mandy.
Absolutely great film!
This really is a good film, fantastic soundtrack and great performance from Cage. It is a little arty but stick with it.
It reminded me of, antichrist. a bit in the first hour, after that it went downhill and lost its weird atmospheric tension, it's amazing how Nic Cage never seems to age , the bit where he's knocking back a bottle of vodka and screaming in his underpants was hilarious and believable, after that I found it a bit silly. Nicholas cage becomes the crazy demon on the motorcycle in Raising Arizona, he looks very much like him anyway.
You guys really deserve a better camera. My eyes are hurting with 480p.
Then don't put it on TH-cam.
Mark Kermode sure does NOT JUST work as a film critic for MONEY alone. He seems to REALLY KNOW and LOVE his cinematic stuff and the intelligence behind it all, Mr Mayo on the other hand doesn't quite fit to that level.
This movie is VISUAL! So beautiful.
Nothing this movie does could ever be more savage than Simon's jokes
Come on Mark. It’s an instant cult classic, and not just because it’s about a cult. From the opening credits with the ridiculous Jóhann Jóhannsson music through to the silent closing ones, it transports you back to ‘83 when movies were proper fun. Clearly one of the most extraordinary movies of the year. An electrifying thing of dazzling, blazing beauty. Carpenter to a factor of Cage. X stars out of 5.
The opening credits music is not part of the Johannsson score, that song is by progrock band King Crimson.
Film was amazing. Mark Kermode needs to sort his opinions out and drop the 'Its Nick Cage and crazy' stuff.
Red Letter Media gave a very similar review. Definitely one I will check out.
Film of the year.
Nick Cage is its own genre
Yeah... its amazing.
Strange and eternal
It's brilliant.
Great cinema
Calvaire is idd a good reference !
Simon was in an unusually humorous mood here. Anyone know why?
It was DAMN Good
I DO love this movie.
But my FAVOURITE bit is the first half. The love story. I love his pretty little bohemian wife.
The end. Move on.
Fun movie while still uncomfortably icky. Nightmare-ish but not gory. A definite for late night cinema viewing.
Art house version of Death Wish.
I thought Mark was Nick Cave until I saw the clip.