Five Fingers for Marseilles

Amazing little film, but unfortunately suffering of a weak directing and acting too. But the script is OK, good enough to try the watch. Thanks to netflix to have distributed it several years ago. But I am sure most world wide audiences have never heard of this film. However, I think it is a bit too long, it is not a Sergio Leone's film either. Maybe too ambitious for this film destined to the only South Africa territory. But maybe I am wrong.... And for those who may be misunderstand, Marseille here is in South Africa, and not in France. That's important to point it out. Good characters study, that's the main strength of this film.

This was a good movie. I can say I was highly impressed. The movie looked amazing first off. The camera work was amazing. Based off westerns, the movie is slow and dramatic but I loved the way the story and drama builds. I was always kept interested. The characters are interesting and the relationships between them are well crafted.

The main actor is very cool in this movie and is a great protagonist. He plays the badass hero role perfectly. The villain is very creepy and they did a good job of making him a menacing and evil character. Most of the side characters are also interesting and have their own agendas and issues.

I liked the R rating of this movie as they did not hold back in the scenes of violence. This allowed them to create some really intense scenes that really heightened the drama.

I loved the movie up until the third act. I feel like the third act becomes a bit slow and tedious as it builds to the final act climax which is a confusing gun battle that could have been crafted a bit better in my opinion. The finale left a sick feeling in my stomach as the directors decided to express a strong philosophy through this story which makes the story feel senseless but besides the ending I feel like this was a very well crafted and entertaining film with some great acting and cinematography.

This glossy South African feature exhibits stunning cinematography and locations. The concept as well is ingenious, and most of the performances appropriately portrayed. The idea f a western style movie with all the trimmings, but set in South Africa was most interesting.

The dialogue I felt did not quite support the standard of the rest of the production value and the script lagged at times. Possibly the performances of this talented cast could have been more riveting if the dialogue was tighter. However generally the story was good enough to retain interest to the conclusion, which seems to be the general concensus of viewer reviews.

All in all an enjoyable feature, with a powerful portrayal of the protagonist Tau who portrayed the character authentically, and one a viewer would root for. That was portrayed with the appropriate menace, an actor who similarly excelled in the SA feature Vaya.

Definitely one to watch, particularly if you are a fan of Westerns with a difference, and a director to keep your eye on in the future.

The story is a strong commentary on social and economic disparage plaguing this world. In this case a world of post-modern, rural life set in South Africa. It is a full-bodied, complex character study with heart and a hefty dose of classic spaghetti western attitude. The protagonist is a compelling, emotional character that shows all the scares and tribulations of a hard life. Scares he wears effectively on his sleeve. A very convincing performance. The antagonists and varied townsfolk are all equally convincing personals and framed nicely in the story.

The effects are standard, well-done elements one expects in a somewhat violent tome of expressionist folderol which plays out as perfect as any 70's experimental American western. The real effects are the musical score, atmosphere and cinematography. All are exceptional. The film isn't excessively exploitative with the bloodshed or violence, so when it happens it becomes very affectational moments.Overall "Five Fingers For Marseilles" is above average for indie film making. It does move a bit slow but the pace becomes almost hypnotic in its ability to capture your attention and be entertaining.

The visuals are great, the story watchable. An interesting study on how early childhood trauma can affects an individual psyche later in life, and how it affects different people in different ways/

The lead actor delivers a powerful convincing performance, as do most of the cast, even when the story lags as it does in parts. It would have been interesting to see a little more intra and interpersonal conflict, and I feel if this had been scripted, the story would have been riveting.

The landscape as a character is breathtaking, and supports the mood of the story beautifully. I wonder, will a sequel follow? I would certainly watch a sequel expecting this creative team to deliver an even better story!