The Pangs use cross-cutting, edgy editing effects, an offbeat sound mix and both colour-saturation and monochrome to paint this cinematic portrait of love amid the bullets. The result is oddly effective, creating an intriguing mood that actually generates some emotional resonance. This is stylish, outrageous filmmaking, and some scenes have so much "style" that we're not quite clear as to what happened or to whom. But never mind, we'll find out soon enough. The violence is also extremely gruesome, not to mention cruel and vicious. It's not hyperbolic and over the top; even though it's utterly excessive, there's a real sense of people dying here! So combined with the rather touching romance that's trying to bloom between rivers of blood, the film is more than a little unsettling ... and unsuccessful. Still, it does show directoral promise, so I'm sure we'll see the Pangs in Hollywood before we know what's hit us.

very strong violence, adult themes

11.Feb.02