You Were Never Really Here (2017) / Z-View

You Were Never Really Here (2017)

Director:  Lynne Ramsay

Screenplay by:  Lynne Ramsay based on the novella by Jonathan Ames

Starring:  Joaquin Phoenix, Judith Roberts and Ekaterina Samsonov

Tagline:  Bring the hammer.

The Overview:  Beware of spoilers…

Joe (Phoenix) is ex-FBI and ex-military.  He suffers from post traumatic stress disorder due to an abusive childhood, as well as his FBI and military experiences.  Joe lives with and takes care of his elderly mother.  These days Joe makes his living brutally righting wrongs.

Joe is hired by a state senator to rescue his daughter, Nina, from the upscale brothel where she is being pimped out. Joe gains entry, killing security guards and men patronizing the underage girls.  He finds Nina and makes it back to the hotel where he is to meet Nina’s father.

While waiting for her dad, they see on the news that her father apparently committed suicide!  Suddenly two men bust in.  One grabs Nina and takes off, while the other attempts to kill Joe.  Joe is wounded, but kills the man.   Joe makes his way home to find his mother murdered and two assassins waiting for him…

You Were Never Really Here might sound like a typical action film where a hero overcomes his personal demons and overwhelming odds to win the day, but it is far from that.  Ramsey takes her time using Phoenix’s acting, quick cut flashbacks, sounds and music to emphasize his trauma.  I liked You Were Never Really Here, as did audiences and reviewers.  I almost gave it 4 of 5 stars, but settled on 3.  You Were Never Really Here might be a film that grows on me.  If so, I’ll update my rating.  For now…

You Were Never Really Here earns 3 of 5 stars.