a review of 你从未在此

Joaquin Phoenix is a masterful actor. That is the first thing that needs to be said in a review of You Were Never Really Here. He was simply made for this film, convincingly portraying a traumatized war veteran who violently rescues underage children from their abusers, until things get out of control. You Were Never Really Here's cinematography is beautiful, with balanced screen compositions, accompanied by a strong soundtrack. I also liked the almost meditative rhythm of the film, making the depressing atmosphere and violence more bearable, like a tranquilizer. The violent scenes are cold but original, and at times even poetic, such as the scene where Phoenix sings along with his dying victim. [Spoiler alert...] Speaking of poetry, the scene where Phoenix enters the water to bury his mother is a timeless audiovisual jewel, oozing the cinematic talent of director Lynne Ramsay. Last but not least, Joaquin Phoenix has the coolest beard since Kurt Russell in The Thing.