I want to discuss this movie, and get some of your opinions on the film. I was super excited for this film (although I know I am late on finally getting to actually watch it), and it bummed me out when it got such a low ratings (5.9/10 on imdb and 40% on rt).
However, ignoring the critics and general public, I still viewed the movie with a fairly optimistic outlook. And I have to say that I really, really enjoyed it. The supernatural aspect to the film (Chang as God / Angel of Vengeance) was really cool, and the symbolism with Julian's hands throughout the film and their significance was also really interesting and well thought out and well delivered. In fact, Julian's character in general I thought was very interesting and unique. I saw some reviews of people comparing him to his character in Drive, but I am not seeing a single parallel between the two. Ryan Gosling's character in drive was quite simply a hero (yes, the song at the end of the movie pretty much nailed it - lol). He had heaps of integrity, was a genuine good guy, and all around badass hero figure. Don't know what else to say. Julian however, to put it bluntly, is kind of a scum bag. His character is a criminal, has a shitty family who are even bigger scum than he is (which rubbed off on him, I'm sure), and is not at all a hero figure. Although he has a couple redeeming moments in the film, and clearly has more good character than his brother or mom, it isn't enough to make him out as the "good guy". Throughout the movie he appeared to be the shell of a man, emotionally damaged by what we later can attribute to the weird relationship he has with his mom (and his brother too, I suppose).
Here is also a little something I came across on a discussion board which analyzes the significance of his hands throughout the movie, and the role of Chang and the supernatural aspect of him:
"Julian is full of regret and self-hatred because he killed his own father with his bare hands. He constantly looks at them. Julian has visions of Chang even before he ever met him in person in real life. When he is about to execute the murderer of Billy, he tells Julian what happened and he points towards his arm which got cut off. Now, Julian realizes this is exactly what happened in his first vision, and that Chang must be the same guy as the one from his vision. In the first vision Julian's arm gets cut off. In his seconds vision he washes his hand and suddenly blood comes out of the water-tap. This tells us no matter how hard Julian tries to get cleansed off his sins, he always has blood on his hands for killing his father. Then he sees that Chang is watching him from the door way. Then he finally meets Chang in real life in his boxing club and wants to know more about him, He follows him, Chang disappears. Leaving behind a confused Julian. Then at the karaoke bar the two make a special connection. I think Julian has only one single thought throughout the entire movie. He wants to fight God. He wants to get defeated, to get punished, to get cleansed, etc. So he challenges Chang to a fight. And he obviously knows by now WHO Chang is. He is God. At the end Julian finally gets what he wanted the entire time. Chang cuts off both his arms/hands, cleansing Julian of all his sins. Hence the title Only God Forgives"
Does anybody have any input / opinions / comments on or about the film? Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised after watching it. Ever since seeing it, I've rewatched it once, and I can't help but look back and like the movie even more as time passes.