Wild Horse Nine

 

          The latest film from writer/director Martin McDonagh stars John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell as CIA agents, Chris and Lee. The year is 1973 and after spending time in Santiago Chile, decide to vacation on Easter Island.

           This dark, buddy comedy is typical of Mr. McDonagh writing and directing style but far from his best. It has it's share of biting dialog including political jabs and while I chuckled at times, I never found it "laugh out loud funny". Rather, at times, it's melancholy and sad.

          On a positive note, John Malkovich is absolutely fantastic as Chris, a milestone performance in a long and brilliant career. He keeps you guessing as to his true state of mind even as he confounds his long time colleague, Lee (Mr. Rockwell, playing a terrific straight man).

           The film costars Mariana di Girolamo as Monica and Ailin Salas as Alicia, two young women the two spies keep running into on the island. It also features Steve Buscemi as MJ, the CIA bureau chief, and in what amounts to cameos, Parker Posey (two scenes) and Tom Waits (one scene).

            Filming on Easter Island makes for an original background and while the legendary huge stone heads and beautiful wild horses are magnificent, one eventually grows weary of the desolate location. And the same can be said for the rambling dialog and laid back story.

              I would still recommend it to fans of Mr. McDonagh and his two stars, especially Mr. Malkovich (who really carries the film) but I still hold "In Bruges" and "The Banshees of Inisherin" in higher regard.