No.275 : Wij (2018)

Wij at the IMDb

In our never ending search for ‘W’ films we head to Holland now . If anyone thinks this shouldn’t count, the title translates as ‘We’ - so that’s a bilingual title; but does twice the title equate to twice the fun?

I wouldn’t say the film was ‘fun’ but it was interesting and engaging and, despite lots of nudity, I was able to enjoy it.

The film is told in four parts with the events of one Summer replayed through the eyes of four different characters. We open with court proceedings and then jump into the first of the four chapters ‘Simon’. We meet the 8 main characters who are a mixed sex group of teenagers on the Dutch/Belgian border. All chapters open on ‘June 10’ and we see various events in an almost random order. Key events are portrayed differently in each, but it’s more ‘Rashoporn’ than ‘Rashomon. That’s not to say it’s all about titillation, more about young free spirits who start to get out of control.

The gang take a bike ride and after flashing some motorists they take over an abandoned caravan. Things seem quite idyllic at first but the party game of ‘can you guess what’s being shoved inside you’ gives a small clue that isn’t isn’t going to be ‘Swallows and Amazons’. Well swallows maybe…

We see that the leader of the crew, Thomas, is a psycho from the start, when he grabs a dog out being walked from his moped and drags it up the street. We also see that the gang have no shortage of money and despite Thomas being from a well off family it’s not initially clear where the cash comes from.

The uninhibited troupe soon start to up the ante with full blown motorway flashing resulting in a tragedy which they are largely dismissive of. We also learn early on that one of the girls dies in questionable circumstances and we have to guess who was responsible and whether anyone will face justice. As we enter Thomas’ segment things come to a head - prostitution, abortions and home made porn all show up - it was never like this at BB camp. As the missing pieces of the puzzle fall into place we wonder if anything can mitigate the horrible events and whether just desserts will be served to the right person.

I liked this film despite its incessantly dark tone and nihilist vibe. The cast do well with a script that demands everything from them and engages them in some pretty sordid acts. Thomas was best with his thin moustache and psychotic behaviour. The jury was out on most of the gang but events towards the end, shown from his warped perspective and reality, show that he was indeed the one to watch. The film closes with some ambiguity regarding his motivations but nothing can justify the dog.

The film wasn’t that full on in respect of nudity and sex, apart from one hardcore scene where they wore masks - I’d bet some porn stars were drafted in for that. Despite that concession the rest full engaged in some brutal abuse that was hard to watch.

‘Lost youth and innocence’ are well worn tropes and there wasn’t an explanation why everyone went along with the nefarious plans. True, there were some challenges but I guess Stockholm Syndrome and the allure of easy money are pretty strong motivations to the weak willed.

The editing was good with just enough information drip fed so that you stayed engaged and invested.

Overall a good but disconcerting watch.

Best Bit : When they were all still young and innocent! 17/23

No.228 : Warning Shot (1967)

Warning Shot at the IMDb

David Janssen leads a stellar cast in this 1967 police drama. Technically it should be called ‘No Warning Shot’ but let’s save the nit picking until after the plot summary.

Janssen plays Sergeant Tom Valens who is on a stake out with his partner as the film opens. They are supposedly looking for a psycho killer but they should probably be after the man with the rogue smoke machine instead. They discuss how foggy it is but it looks more like bonfire night. Janssen spots a suspicious character who runs when challenged. Our man soon has him cornered but when the felon moves to draw a gun Janssen shots first sending him into the swimming pool of the apartment complex.

So far so good, but wait? An ID check shows the shot man to be a doctor who was visiting an elderly patient and more worryingly there is no gun. Things quickly spiral downwards for Janssen as he is suspended and the public want his head - this is well demonstrated with interviews with placard wielding protesters some of whom suggest white policemen may get an easier ride - glad things have changed since the 1960’s!

Criminal charges are soon brought and, unwilling to accept a plea, Janssen tries to unravel the life of his victim to see if he really is the good man all seem to think he is. Whilst this is going on he also has to deal with him impending divorce from the lovely Joan Collins - can things get any worse?!

The investigation is well done with a few red herrings thrown in such as woman killed in the same apartment complex due to an illegal abortion which turns out to be unconnected to our case. Other angles include a nutty old lady with a penchant for dog toys, a playboy pilot and a young Stefanie Powers who lacks her ‘Hart to Hart’ hair but still brightens up the screen.

The pieces slowly fall together but who can be trusted and where is that darn gun?

I liked this gritty crime drama. There was no sex or swearing but it was a seamy slice of LA life with some decent brutality thrown in for good measure. The simple premise was laid out at the start and although the film’s sympathies clearly lie with Janssen, the pivotal scene at the start is shot in such a way that we, the audience, aren’t sure if the gun ever really existed.

The detection was good although the resolution was a little bit improbable for my liking. Janssen was a compelling lead and although not that sympathetic, his tough guy with values won me over. He also gets smoochy with Joan Collins but casts her away when she’s half out of her dress - that man has strength! The cast also has Ed Begley, Sam Wanamaker, Walter Pidgeon and  Lillian Gish - Lillian Gish this film is not!

Things do play out as you’d expect but I was wrong footed a couple of times and the pace and drama kept me interested throughout. Well worth checking out.

Best Bit : Joan shows a bra strap!  ‘W’ Score : 18/23