Savages Review

As shamelessly exploitative and incoherently structured  "Savages" proves to be, believe it or not, this is perhaps Oliver Stone in his most robust form in recent years after some plainly made cinema works that when looking back are far from his style that made him one the most prominent filmmakers in recent memory. While Stone is way off from creating a masterpiece to join along the ranks of "Platoon" or  "JFK," it truly is classic Stone film-making even to the slight comical references to Brian De Palma's Scarface (written by Stone). What separates Stone's energetic is how Stone and co-writer and author, Don Winslow, set out to conceive how each character plays a role in how Stone views the current crisis on the war on drugs. And only then does it bring to light what Stone is trying to accomplish, rather than making giant, explosions and firefights for the sheer spectacle of it, he paints a cold, zany portrait of America on the drug war.

But fret not on the political agenda that lies in "Savages" as it is more subdued than Stone's previous political efforts in past films as there is nothing sanctimonious or morally up-lifting in the actions in "Savages" as two pot growers, Ben (Aaron Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) work together, independently producing the best cannabis for humanitarian reasons. But in the middle lies "O" (Blake Lively) who is a spoiled beach girl who is in love with both men as it crates a more open love triangle with all three players aware of the obvious. Soon however, paradise has come under terror as after refusing a deal with a powerful drug cartel lead by Elena (Salma Hayek), "O" is kidnapped and kept as collateral for the Ben and Chon's compliance on the deal. Now, filled with rage, the duo set out to retrieve their lovely "O" by all means possible.

What sounds similar to a cheap, low-rent video game is actually more in anticipation for the action. Only little minor action occupies the frames of this film as in the premise we are treated with a corrupt DEA agent, Dennis (John Travolta) who is serving for both sides while being a step-ahead and Elena's henchman of a comical psychopath, Lado (Benicio Del Toro) and throughout, events are played out more of a suspenseful thriller than a balls-to-the-wall action film that would be akin to Stone's audacious "Natural Born Killers". What is prevalent throughout is Stone's perception and over-the-top practices of the drug cartel as torture and killings fill up the screen, and at times, Stone and his sensibilities get the better of him as some scenes are a little too ridiculous in the gore-but with a title like "savages," it might as well live up to its name.

One thing Stone tries to do but only mildly gets away is the oddly structured story and the uneven tone where it would shift from narration given by "O" which is about as engaging as watching ants go in and out in an anthill to present time as Ben and Chon toy with Elena and her organization for "O," If the dialogue given to Lively was at least interesting or written with any life, it wouldn't have been as boring as hearing witty one-liners like,"I had orgasms while he had wargasms" when describing how good Chon is in bed and him being a  war veteran. But as far and few the stale dialogue is heard, the screen becomes luscious and vibrant with the cinematography as at times, it's transpiring and engrossing the viewer in a sunny, grainy look on the beaches of California. As Stone hasn't dabbled in material as lurid and depraved in a while, "Savages" shows glimmers of that old-school, idiosyncratic style of the excessive violence in gruesomely filmed torture scenes meant to create a visceral experience such as the use of video and hand-held cameras at his disposal.

The beauty of any Stone film is the performances he can evoke from actors that can even surprise the most jaded of critics. While nothing in here is fresh than the plot, the way Stone handles all these characters, who to him represent a spectrum of the war on drugs, but played to their most preposterous, fanatical levels that it's so amusing seeing some great actors being able to shine. While Taylor Kitsch and Blake Lively elicit one-note performances of either  Kitsch grunting angrily or Lively being helplessly innocent and confused, its Aaron Johnson that stands out more as he's the exact opposite of someone in this business as he is the more peaceful and relaxed attitude in the business. All three however covey a sense of infatuation and intimacy between them as Lively is the glue that holds Kitsch and Johnson together.

Now, let's move to the big players. If anyone could draw fourth a sense of cold, icy intensity balancing out a humane sense of work ethic and control; Salma Hayek thrives. She is wonderfully fun to watch as she struts around in extravagant clothing, keeping people in their place and instill a sense of fear with her associates, Hayek does it without hesitation. And finally, John Travolta can still show off his very alert, charming charisma as his character of Dennis is naive to the situations at hand and perfectly embodies that over-zealous quality of a federal officer enraptured by greed and corruption. However, if anyone can come out on top, Benicio De Toro deserves the praise as Lado. He's menacing, maniacal, despicably vile and farcically uncompromising. Every scene he's presents automatically sends chills and a sense of awareness is known as he's unrelenting, uncaring and deeply loves his job as a psychopathic cartel enforcer. While his character is just shown in ludicrous fashion, De Toro gleefully chews up his scenes that its almost a disservice to criticize  him for hamming up such a caricature. He is the poster child for how Americans view the drug cartels (at least thats what Stone has in mind). They even made him to have a thick Tony Montana accent almost as an homage to the types of drugged up characters Stone created.

As all the pieces come into place on Stone's board, it suddenly diverts down a road to where it is the dividing line with audiences if they're willing to go along for the insane ride. Which is a shame as the anticipation leading towards the end was set so high, for it to end so lazily and sudden makes it very anticlimactic and derivative of any screenwriting Hollywood cliche. Added to that the weak performances from Kitsch and Lively with a dull narration being our perspective, "Savages" doesn't add up to what Stone could have ultimately accomplished; and that is a hardcore, nail-biting thriller and an over-the-top look on both sides of the business of Drugs (at least as far as the West coast is concerned). But Stone wasn't in for "Savages" for a intimate character drama, instead it being a showcase for Stone's view on a issue that after being glamorized, is interesting to know where he stands on it. Stone manages to show a lot of promise for things to come in any case he decides to return to this blood-soaked genre. As without all the gunfights and action promised in the trailers, in substitution, we get a Tarantino pulpy noir thriller without the snappy dialogue to make the experience all the more amusing and engaging to watch.

                                                                 Rating: B by Amritpal Rai