Not many people remember that director Nicolas Winding-Refn and actor Ryan Gosling have worked together twice. Their most memorable work is undoubtedly Drive (2011) but they reunited once again in the early 2010s to release Only God Forgives (2013).
The movie initially struggled to reach the top. The expectations were quite high because of Drive and unfortunately, the movie couldn’t live up to the hype. However, over the years, the movie was able to find its audience. In the movie, Ryan Gosling plays the role of Julian, a drug smuggler. The movie is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Ryan Gosling’s Only God Forgives (2013) was initially a flop
Director Nicolas Winding-Refn and actor Ryan Gosling decided to work together once again after the success of Drive (2011). They came up with Only God Forgives (2013). However, it couldn’t live up to the expectations as the movie was criticized after it was played at the Cannes Film Festival. It was made on a budget of $4.8 million and only managed to earn about $10.6 million at the global box office.
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Why was the movie criticized?
Only God Forgives premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and received a divided response from the audience and critics. The audience primarily criticized the film for its screenplay and characterization. Apart from this, many complained that the pace was really slow, resulting in the audience losing interest.
Some aspects of the film were liked by the audience such as the visually striking cinematography by Larry Smith and the director’s unique vision. Ryan Gosling was applauded for his outstanding portrayal of Julian Thompson. Despite limited dialogue, Gosling effectively managed to make a mark with his emotions. The movie’s soundtrack was also praised. Overall, the movie got recognition for its distinctive visual style and atmospheric storytelling.
The movie found its audience roughly 10 years later
Recently, the movie has witnessed a sharp rise in its popularity. Many cinephiles have claimed in the past that the movie is a hidden gem. It may not reach the standard set by Drive (2011) but the movie is unique in its own way.
Roughly 5 years after its release, the movie started to gain attention and was labeled as a cult classic. As more viewers discovered the film through word of mouth, the movie became more popular. Many film connoisseurs have claimed that the movie was deliberately slow-paced to allow the viewers to fully immerse themselves in the world of the film. Only God Forgives may not have achieved immediate success, but its impact on the entertainment industry cannot be denied.
Source: ScreenRant
