Movie Review: WILD HORSE NINE

Martin McDonagh has done it again.

The 7x Oscar Nominee (and 1x winner, interestingly enough for his short film, SIX SHOOTER) is back in theaters with ANOTHER (basically) 2 person film that highlights the interaction/relationship/chemistry of 2 people with shady pasts and in WILD HORSE NINE he has hit the jackpot again.

Set in 1973, WILD HORSE NINE tells the tale of a pair of CIA Agents, Chris (2x Oscar Nominee John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell, who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in McDonagh’s THREE BILLBOARDS…) who leave their offices in Chile for a vacation on Easter Island…but is it a vacation?

Well…if you’ve seen McDonagh’s other works (like IN BRUGES and THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN) you know there is much, much more that is going on than meets the eye and it is the peeling back of this onion that brings the intrigue and interest to this film.

With this film being basically a “two-hander” between Malkovich and Rockwell, these two actors better be on their “A” game…and they are. Malkovich just might win his first Oscar (and, for sure, an Oscar nomination) as Chris the aging agent who has many, many secrets to reveal throughout the course of the film - and he sometimes does it at the most inopportune time. This is where an exasperated…and caring… Lee comes in and Rockwell imbues this character with layers of emotion that make Lee one of the most human characters that have been on screen in quite a long time.

This being a McDonagh film, there are some very good actors doing very good work in very small roles. From Steve Buscemi (RESRVOIR DOGS), to Ailan Salas (LULU) to relative newcomer Mariana di Girolamo (ELECTROPHILIA) to good ol’ Tom Waits (THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS) and Indy darling Parker Posey (BEST IN SHOW)…ALL bring heft and interest to what could easily have been small, throw away roles that are elevated by these performers…and by virtue that they need to perform against/with Malkovich and/or Rockwell who both elevate every scene these are in.

Credit, of course, goes to Writer/Director McDonagh who steadily (if a little too deliberately) doles out information and peels back the layers of our two leads over the course of the 1 hour, 56 minute length of this film. It’s not the fastest moving movie you’ll ever see but every second, every frame have purpose…and are interesting.

McDonagh, wisely, placed this story on Easter Island and Cinematographer Ben Davis (collaborator with McDonagh on Three Billboards and Banshees) makes a place that people know about, but probably haven’t seen much look absolutely gorgeous and one has to think that the Easter Island Chamber of Commerce is going to get an influx of visitors due to this film.

Finally, the score (by the GREAT Carter Burwell…let’s go with…FARGO) is balanced between traditional score (which brings a mysterious sense to the film) and top hits of the time (to help the audience anchor this film in the early ‘70’s) and is another knockout by this 3x Oscar nominee.

If you are looking for fast action with quick cuts, look elsewhere. But, if you are interested in a character drama strongly rooted in the two lead performaces and strong direction, WILD HORSE NINE is one not to miss.

Letter Grade: A

9 Stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)