Psycho Killers Kill It

     Characters portrayed with some sort of mental issues in films are often seen as scary. Characters like Hannibal Lecter or Norman Bates have been icons within the horror genre. However, what would a movie be like if psychotic characters were played for laughs? Seven Psychopaths answers that question and it is one of the best written black comedies, making psychotic characters actually likable, entertaining, and very, very comical.

      Seven Psychopaths stars Colin Farrell as Martin “Marty” Faranan, an aspiring screenwriter who just wants to finish his screenplay (also entitled ‘Seven Psychopaths’). Marty does not have the inspiration for the script outside of the title. His best friend, Billy Bickle, played by Sam Rockwell, is an aspiring actor but can never get a decent role due to his eccentric behavior. Since Billy cannot get a decent role, he takes up a “dog-napping” business with his friend Hans, played by the always favorite Christopher Walken. What the two men do is take dogs from citizens of Los Angeles while they aren’t looking and returns the dogs for a sum of money. Unfortunately for them, they steal the wrong dog. The dog, a Shih Tzu named Bonny, belongs to Los Angeles crime lord Charlie Costello, played by Woody Harrelson. Charlie loves that dog more than life itself and, because of that, Marty, Hans, and Billy get into a violent, strange, and very funny adventure that ends up being the best thing for Marty to finish his screenplay.

      Everyone’s comedic talent shows in this film. Viewers really sympathize with Colin Farrell’s character Marty, as he is the only ‘normal’ character who just wants to get his work done. But it’s one thing after another, with an old killer coming to help him, played by Tom Waits, and his girlfriend Kaya, played by Abbie Cornish, breaking up with him. It helps that the script, written by director Martin McDonagh, is sharply written and the punch lines for every situation or conversation come out of nowhere, making it that much more funnier. Even the violent situations are funny in their own way and never come off as cynical or too dark.

      Sam Rockwell steals the whole show. To describe him as eccentric is an understatement, as his personality is more like if Peter Griffin from “Family Guy” was written and created by Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie. His hilarious actions and the way he delivers the lines make Billy a likeable character because of how funny he is and also because he is very helpful for his best friend and in the end does the right thing for everyone. Billy is such an original and entertaining character that the viewer will always be waiting to see what he can get himself into next.

      With all of these hilarious characters and situations, Seven Psychopaths is very enjoyable, but there are some problems. One problem with the film is that, while the dramatic scenes are well acted, especially with the ones with Walken, they can bring the darkly comedic sense of the film to a halt. This doesn’t happen too often in the film though, so this is a very minor complaint. Also, the graphic, over-the-top violence and the ridiculous characters might not win over some fans as they might view it as too dark or too annoying. This is yet another minor complaint with an already great film.

      Seven Psychopaths is extremely fun to watch. The characters are original, the story is well written, but the script will keep anyone watching and the performances of everyone, especially Rockwell, will sure to make the laughs keep on coming.