MANDY movie review

I honestly cannot think of a proper opening paragraph to put here after watching this film.

Summary

The year is 1983. Nicolas Cage plays Red, a logger who lives in a secluded cabin with his girlfriend, Mandy, a gas station clerk and artist. Their peaceful lives are upended when Jeremiah, the leader of a drug abusing religious cult, becomes enamored with Mandy and sends a demonic biker gang to fetch her. The attack on his home leads Red on a drug-fueled search for bloody revenge against the bikers and the cult.

The Details

I'd like to point out that I didn't make a word of that summary up, this movie's plot really is that out there.

I've been struggling to find a good way to describe this movie without spoiling it, and I think to call it Drive but on LSD is about the best I can do; This is very slow, deliberate, and visceral film that also happens to be tripping its absolute balls off, to use a popular phrase. It doesn't do quick cuts, it doesn't time hop, we see everything play out from beginning to end, and the movie is that much more intense for it. Action scenes range from appropriately ridiculous to short and brutal experiences, and the movie certainly doesn't lack for gore.

The real surprise here is the raw emotion that fuels the proceedings, whether it be Cage's pain and fury, Mandy's troubled memories, or even Jeremiah's insecure ramblings. The human side of this movie pleasantly surprised me. From the trailers I was expecting something more fast paced, but the movie isn't afraid to slow down and let us know how our characters feel, and this emotion helps to sell the insanity that follows when everything falls apart.

Now let's address the question I'm sure you all have: Nicolas Cage is great here. He begins the movie as a simple man who truly loves his girlfriend and her work, but by the end has transformed into...well, Nicolas Cage, and I mean that in the best way. When all hell does break loose, Cage's signature over-the-top acting feels right at home, and leads to some absolutely great moments ("You ripped my shirt" is a standout, you'll see what I mean). I'm one of those people who already thinks Cage is a great actor under the right circumstances, and this movie really allows him to cut loose and let out his best side while also giving him the opportunity at the start to give a truly understated and emotional performance.

The visuals are what really sell this movie, however. The closest comparison film I can think of would be the original Suspiria; every scene of this film involving the cult, the bikers, or, towards the end, Cage, is absolutely drenched in reds, blues, pinks, and purples. These colors turn average scenes into the stuff of psychedelic nightmares, and really serve to punctuate the otherworldly nature of what's happening on screen. Absolutely gorgeous.

image courtesy of IMDB

Overall, while this may not be my favorite movie of the year, it's a solid, enjoyable, absolutely ridiculous trip of a film that grows on me more and more as I think back on it. Nicolas Cage is at his most Nicolas Cage-y here, and man, does it ever pull this whole thing together. Definitely worth stumping up the cash to rent (it's currently available on Amazon Prime for something like $6, you really can't go wrong).

I give "Mandy" a 4 out of 5