Our movie review of The Rope Around The Neck by Gus Van Sant: justice and kidnapping

The Story

Ruined due to a loan, Tony Kiritsis (Bill Skarsgard) kidnaps the son of the broker (Dacre Montgomery) responsible for his situation. He demands 5 million dollars and an apology. The hostage situation lasts for 63 hours, in front of local, then national television. America becomes captivated by this case. Each person chooses their side. Is Tony a criminal, or simply a victim seeking justice?

Our Opinion

Elephant, Harvey Milk, Last Days around the figure of Kurt Cobain and even To Die For with a unrecognizable Nicole Kidman: throughout his career, Gus Van Sant has varied styles, often relying on strong, outsider characters, firmly determined to achieve their goals. Inspired by a real event that took place in Indianapolis in the 1970s – the representation of the era is striking – this Rope Around the Neck, confined to a few hours, is a kind of modern western, a sign of a torn, unequal America, where the powerful abuse their position against the poorer, and even the middle class. Tony’s desperate act, portrayed by the always invisible Bill Skarsgard, is that of an individual who seeks above all to remain dignified and to make the truth known.

Around this hostage situation, the media circus with the pursuit of scoops is scrutinized by the filmmaker of Good Will Hunting, who delivers a well-controlled, tense, and relevant feature film… with the cherry on top being the presence of Al Pacino as a guest star (but in an important role), which is reminiscent of a certain Dog Day Afternoon.

THRILLER (United States, 1 hr 45 min). Directed by Gus Van Sant, starring Bill Skarsgard, Dacre Montgomery, Colman Domingo. Our rating: 4/5.