Soi Cowboy Thomas Clay

One of those films that confirm common stereotypes about the kind of ‘pretentious nonsense’ that finds its way into festival selections, Soi Cowboy has a deliberately slow-moving and obscure plot which soon becomes infuriating.

Whilst the mise en scene is accomplished, certain stylistic choices (a 20-minute opening sequence with no dialogue, a movement half-way through from black and white to colour) seem to be almost entirely pointless.

Worst of all, those optimistically persevering through the 2 hour run-time are rewarded by the film ending equivalent of a slap in the face, as crucial threads of the intrigue are left unexplained.

Jude Lister