With a strikingly unique visual, this film tells the daily life of drug addicts perceived from the eyes of an undercover cop Fred (Keanu Reeves), where he slowly became so involved with the drugs himself. So, expect shots of daily lives where the addicts ramble continuously, muttering paranoid talk at their backyard, messing around with each other, and forgetting what they did the day after. Along the course of 100 minutes the film quietly builds the world the characters live in, where constant surveillance reeks among each character's life.
The focus on the portrayal of daily life can make the film feels like it's slow and going nowhere for a while, especially with a rather not established roles for each character. Last 15 minutes of the film is heart-breaking though. The twist isn't expected, though not that shocking, but the best part of the film is in the ending. Monologue from the source material appears reflecting on real life situation, as then the credits roll on and Thom Yorke's song plays, leaving you with sympathetic feeling for the victims of drug abuse.
That bittersweet ending and the narrative in the whole film might have made it a really strong anti-drug film. Never once it tells you not to do drugs; it just shows the true danger of burnout and addiction.
Review by Pradipa PRBlockedParent2017-08-18T09:45:11Z
With a strikingly unique visual, this film tells the daily life of drug addicts perceived from the eyes of an undercover cop Fred (Keanu Reeves), where he slowly became so involved with the drugs himself. So, expect shots of daily lives where the addicts ramble continuously, muttering paranoid talk at their backyard, messing around with each other, and forgetting what they did the day after. Along the course of 100 minutes the film quietly builds the world the characters live in, where constant surveillance reeks among each character's life.
The focus on the portrayal of daily life can make the film feels like it's slow and going nowhere for a while, especially with a rather not established roles for each character. Last 15 minutes of the film is heart-breaking though. The twist isn't expected, though not that shocking, but the best part of the film is in the ending. Monologue from the source material appears reflecting on real life situation, as then the credits roll on and Thom Yorke's song plays, leaving you with sympathetic feeling for the victims of drug abuse.
That bittersweet ending and the narrative in the whole film might have made it a really strong anti-drug film. Never once it tells you not to do drugs; it just shows the true danger of burnout and addiction.