The Film Engineer

Wild Horse Nine (WHN) much like every Martin McDonagh film has one of those names that you wonder why they would call it that until you see it e.g. Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing Missouri is a great example. However, by the time you have seen the film you get it.

Much like 3 Billboards, this is another one of those films by McDonagh that if you see it you will probably love it, Unfortunately his films are not the biggest in terms of box office. Indeed only Billboards has made above $150Million. WHN deserves to make a lot of money, as with all films like this director they are all so brilliant written. Though, one thing that McDonagh’s films are also brilliant with is Casting. Look In Bruges which has Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson & Ralph Feinnes.

He is often known for have two main characters pitted or even working together. This is also the case here with John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, who returns after also winning an acting Oscar for 3 Billboards.

They play 2 CIA agents, Chris (Malkovich) & Lee (Rockwell). Chris is the old stager and Lee is the long suffering to his loose lipped partner. The year is 1973 and they decide to visit Easter Island (Rapa Nui) for one last sojourn together, but will they both come back intact? Especially, as both have a past that littered with a lot of dead bodies and this is part of the main thrust of this story, especially with a very famous kill of Chris’s.

One thing you find with McDonagh films, is they are often much funnier than you expect and much like Banshees of Inisherin, this is easily passed the 6 laugh test, but it also pulls on other emotions. One of the great lines from film (and is in the trailer) Don’t pull rank on Me. I’ve killed people in countries you can’t even spell. To be fair Lee can’t spell Czechoslovakia….

I couldn’t say I have been the biggest fan of Malkovich in the past. However, for me this is easily his best performance and I can see why there has been Oscar Buzz for his performance here. Mark Kermodes review of this films talks about eye acting and I can see why. What both he and Rockwell say with their body language, speaks a thousand words.

The rest of cast including Parker Posey and the rather Slimy Steve Buscemi are all excellent. However, this film lives and dies by the relationship between the two leads and both actors make you believe that they not only partners, but also great friends and the film uses this relationship to tell the film and yes a Horse plays an important part in the film.

I watched this today with I Play Rocky, which will also have a review for soon and also The Fugitive. What a day of cinema it was and this is the film that I am still thinking about even though it was the first one I watched. I would highly recommend it. Especially, if you have liked McDonagh’s previous films.