YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE (2018) *** ½

When we first see him, Joe (Joaquin Phoenix) is trying to asphyxiate himself with a plastic bag.  It is unclear if he is attempting to commit suicide or if it is merely an unorthodox coping mechanism to alleviate stress.  Throughout the course of the film, we learn the reason for his behavior.

What we learn about Joe mostly comes in fragmented glimpses.  We see him at his job, which allows him to go after child molesters with a ball-peen hammer, but that’s not really who he is.  Or is it?  That’s one of the more fascinating questions about the movie.

Joe has almost crippling bouts of PTSD.  He sometimes talks when no one is there to listen.  With his unkept beard and hair, his brooding nature suggests he could erupt in a firestorm of violence at any moment (which of course makes him a natural fit for his job).  We also see the tender side of Joe as he cares for his ailing mother.  Even when he encounters the girls he helps to rescue, they seem more equipped at dealing with trauma than he is.  

Directed by Lynne (We Need to Talk About Kevin) Ramsay, You Were Never Really Here sort of plays out like a high rent version of a low rent exploitation item.  (There are also moments here that echo Taxi Driver and Oldboy.)  What makes it stand out from the rest of the pack is that Ramsay is as concerned with Phoenix’s trauma as she is with telling her story.  She doesn’t skimp on the exploitation goods either as pedophiles are bludgeoned, teeth are pulled from their roots, and throats are slashed.  However, this is more about the legacy of violence than the violent acts themselves.  

Ramsay has a stripped down, bare bones approach.  Even when the plot starts to take shape (Phoenix is hired by a Senator to rescue his little girl, played by Ekaterina Samsonov), Ramsay continues with her artistic approach, which winds up being quite rewarding in the end.  For example, little scenes that would’ve been throwaway moments in other movies mean something here.  Even if the film feels like its spinning its wheels, just hang in there because it’s definitely heading somewhere.  

You Were Never Really Here is further proof Phoenix is one of the bravest actors of his generation.  He completely disappears into his character and delivers another electrifying performance. His final moments with Samsonov are powerful and their last dialogue exchange is particularly heart-wrenching.  

AKA:  A Beautiful Day.