BLU RAY REVIEW: Lost River (2014)

"Watching Ryan Gosling’s feature debut as writer-director is like getting an over-rich but also somehow flavourless stew, plonked down in front of you by the preening winner of Celebrity Masterchef." -Peter Bradshaw's review of Lost River.

Out of every review I've read so far for the film, this is still the one that makes the most sense to me. In "Lost River", Gosling proves that he may still have potential as a director to watch - there are some genuinely interesting scenes (Eva Mendes' faux-death scene at the Murder Club) in the film. However, unfortunately they are watered down by its more derivative elements and muddled, unfocused plotting.

This brings me to my main problem with 'Lost River'. In essence, Gosling's film is a pastiche of better filmmaker's works. Because of this, "Lost River" feels manufactured and somehow tired, as we already know all of Gosling's tricks and have seen them many times before from more experienced artists; Gasper Noe, David Lynch, Harmony Korine to name a few.

The real talent on display here is director of photography, Benoît Debie, (admittedly the main reason I sought out the film in the first place) and as always he does not disappoint. Debie's visual composition is top notch in the film - his expert use of colour and lighting not only provides "Lost River" with a dreamy backdrop for the film's twisted story, it also gives the audience a sense of place and orientation (Different areas are made of their own distinct colours, making it simple to understand location when there is a shift).

Despite my problems with the film, Gosling demonstrates solid directing ability and is able to just hold the film together as it arrives at its shaky third act. To call "Lost River" an experiment would be more accurate than simply labeling it as a bad film. I think what we see here is a first-time filmmaker trying to find his feet and discover a style that best suits his vision.

RATING 3/5