THE PERFECT SLEEP Review

THE PERFECT SLEEP takes me by surprise, just when I thought this was just going to be another noir movie that only focuses on art and nothing else, it actually delivers some of the most entertaining gunfight sequences I’ve seen in a long time. It’s a… dark, classy thriller/drama, worthy of going up against some of the best movies this year can throw at you. The story is elegant and cunning at the same time, the kind of revenge story you’d like to wrap your head around.

In a timeless city, a man with no name returns to the violent, brutal domain of assassins he left ten years before – back when they dubbed him The Mad Monk for his disregard for his own life and his intense devotion to one woman, Porphyria; a beautiful, luminescent woman; the girl he grew up with; the love of his life; the one thing he has ever wanted; the one thing he can never have.
There is no discernible reason for him to come back to this ruthless city, save one. She still lives here, she is in danger, and he – a man gifted in the art of killing – may be the only one who can save her. Waiting for him are deadly men who would like nothing more than to see him die a painful death. Standing at their forefront is the formidable Nikolai, the man who raised him and just might be his father.

What really grabs me by the throat is the martial aspect of this movie. Absolutely impressive, I don’t remember ever watching a noir movie in the past that has such kick-ass fight scenes. That and the doctor whose style of killing includes telling his victims what they’re about to go through as they slowly fall to their excruciating death. That part isn’t so original but it’s played with such finesse and calmness by actor Tony Amendola, it’s practically hypnotic.
On top of that I really enjoy how writer/actor Anton Pardoe crafted such a simple yet intriguing story that’s not too confusing to crack wide open but you don’t mind because it will make you even more curious to see how the story would resolve itself. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone: romance, the fascination that comes with the concept of lonesome assassin, it even has sniper shooting for those of you who are into first-person shooting video game.

My only few objections probably would have to do with the acting. Roselyn Sanchez is a gorgeous woman but she’s still got a ways to go before she could be deemed as a talented actress. There are times when you’re looking at her face as she’s saying her lines and it still feels as though she’s reading the script on the reflection of the opposing actors’ eyes. It’s obvious that actor Anton Pardoe gives his all because this is his passion project, if you will, but he does not have the looks and charm of a lead male star. I think Patrick Bauchau was fantastic in the HBO series Carnivale but in THE PERFECT SLEEP, his performance is rather dry, half-hearted and doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
The cinematography is decent, the way it plays with the contrast between light and dark and the spaces in between is not too shabby. it serves some moments that would get you to submit but at times, I feel it could go the distance a bit. Show more close up shots in more creative angles instead of just depending on wide span for most parts.
We could do without some of the dialogue, I don’t like it much when a movie is trying too hard to be all aristotle or king Solomon and throws darts of wisdom words so obviously at the audience.
Having said that, THE PERFECT SLEEP is still worth watching for those of us who long for something familiar and yet so different.

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