Paperjam

i couldn’t have put it better myself

what a load of horse spunk

Mike : 20/11/2005 22:42:50

Maybe you really like films with madonna if u think revolver is such a big load of crap.
Fuck you Jim

Sonar : 15/12/2005 01:58:21

The film-going world is indeed divided.

Jim : 16/12/2005 00:12:01

WEll i really enjoyed the film after a few screenings...everything seems to make much more sense. I would describe this movie as organizaed chaos and its up to the viewer to pull out whatever they can.
However, I thought the filmotogrphy itself was brilliant.

idea : 08/01/2006 21:35:03

Jim can you please tell me what the film is about then, who is sam gold? why do zack and avi take all his money?, why does macha suddenly become a raging maniac? IM SO CONFUSED iv watched this film 5 times and still am not sure what the fuck is going on. i wish i did because i think the film is fantastic, please please help.

Josh : 31/08/2006 18:14:57

its all about fear people.

confrontin fear.

its fuckin amazing.

the ‘opponent and victim’ thing is also too good. use it, it helps life tick over just for you.

raoul : 10/10/2006 23:17:45

mega mind fuck,loved it.Thought the interesting use of multi medium filming rocked.sound track is devastatingly good.questions; was sam gold a made up figure? why did jakes fellow cell mates come in to help him? where did jakes brother go?LOVE THIS FILM,it is so refreshing to be made to think in this sanitised world we live in.Please can someone out there help me with those questions,greatly appreciated.

staci quinn : 05/03/2007 09:11:25

Guy Richie’s films are aimed at FHM reading, Ben Sherman wearing Lecister Square gelled spiky-haired Big Brother watching gimps. Anyone that rates him as a director needs to be nullo’d.

Why Richie : 24/05/2007 08:39:43

I can only agree to all of that. Plus I’m going to have to start saying “Nullo’d”. Very good. I feel old.

Jim : 25/05/2007 01:06:10

It was fucking amazing. One of the best films I have ever seen. Just finished watching it and right now only have gotten something about religion and the way that people interact with each other. I plan on watching it a few more times to really get a good understanding of it. But it definitely gets my vote for best film ever.

Charlie : 24/01/2008 04:29:12

Great review Jim. I absolutely agree with you. It seems to me that the true value of this movie is underestimated. I’ve watched ti over 10 times and every time I realize something new that I haven’t realized earlier. Brilliant… Truly, REVOLVER could be the best movie ever ...

Jake_Green : 27/02/2008 14:04:26

I find it really funny that so many of the above people didn’t get the point…

Braitmad : 22/03/2008 05:28:07

I find it really funny that so many of the above people didn’t get the point…

Braitmad : 22/03/2008 05:28:16

all you pretentious bastards need to calm down. it’s a movie. hey jim, madonna sucks. Brando and Deniro? really? do you have down syndrome? FURTHERMORE nobody is taken seriously when they say the words “to die for”, you’re a joke. I“m so glad you’re using this review to help people understand the movie, especially when you use words like churlish. Did you make that up, you bitch. also, braitmad, fuck off . This movie was good, but its not going to change mankind...seriously.

I liked the movie, good concept, jim stop sucking guy ritchies dick. 

fuck all you : 23/04/2008 05:41:46

all you pretentious bastards need to calm down. it’s a movie. hey jim, madonna sucks. and on par with Brando and Deniro? really? do you have down syndrome? FURTHERMORE nobody is taken seriously when they say the words like “to die for”, you’re a joke. I“m so glad you’re using this review to help people understand the movie, especially when you use words like churlish. Did you make that up, you bitch. This movie was good, but its not going to change mankind...seriously. also, braitmad, fuck off .

I liked the movie, good concept, jim stop sucking guy ritchies dick. 

fuck all you : 23/04/2008 05:44:22

Great, great movie, imo.  I was stunned that something (again imo) this deep and profound ever made it to the “big screen” and am not surprised that it would be met with a lot of resistance.  Here is my take on the meaning of the movie if interested :)
(If you have read Eckart Tolle or A Course in Miracles.. some of the concepts can also be found in these materials)

Mr. Gold is representative of the “dreamer” (or maker) of the dream, which is the entire world of chaos and fear.  You could also call Mr. Gold “the ego”.  Mr. Gold plays a game within his “world” by using players (people) that act out it’s wishes and thoughts.by placing them within each person’s mind, Mr. Gold’s biggest “achievement is making the “players” believe they are him - an ego - instead of their true nature; spirit.

Mr. Green and Mr. D represent two such personalities or “players” within the game or dream world.  Each one can listen to one of either two voices:  the ego/fear or the spirit/love—within their own mind. 

Mr. Green eventually listened to the voice of reason (avi and zak who represents the “other choice” orspirit/love/peace).  Avi and Zak appeared to be “bad guys” and exist in the world of games and fear, in order to help wake up Mr. Green (and others) to the truth. 

With the help of the Avi, Mr. Green started waking up to reality that his only enemy was within his own mind (ego/fear) and that the whole world is based on the projection of this fear and blame on other people or players.  Every rule listed during the game of chess *also* applied to the rules of the dream world as well. 

Mr. Gold is never seen because he is a voice in the mind.

As long Mr. Green did not ecognize this truth, then the ego (Gold) is never revealed for causing fear-based terror and pain happening within the dream world of many games.  A “game” could be likened to “a life”.  If a the game is “over” you die within the dream, for example. 

Mr. Gold is the master manipulator, and the voice of fear in everyone’s mind—the voice of the ego.  The point of the movie, imo, is …there is another choice/and voice within your mind, and that is love and the acceptance.  The ego is not who you really are...you are much more then this.  You are Love itself.  AAnd this is why Mr. Green said “I am on to you” to himself in the end, and had no more fear afterward.  He denied the ego, and took control back.

So...it’s a metaphysical movie that will not be embraced by all..whereas others will really love it if they can relate to it.

Thanks for reading ~ Sharon

sharon : 09/06/2008 00:32:35

aw...awright

ZACK : 23/09/2008 21:59:11

GREAT FILM
A BIT LIKE RELIGION ONLY IDIOTS FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHATS REALLY GOING ON.
Q.
HOW COULD YOU NOT LIKE THIS?
A.
IF YOUR DUMB:)

ben : 06/10/2008 22:30:10

Too GOOD SHARON>> THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATION DUDE>>

Vishal : 02/12/2008 09:25:59

Sharon, not sure about all the ‘love’ stuff.. but the rest of it I kinda agree with. Mr Gold was a representation of ego and fear and not necessarily a real character. The scenes with his assistant woman meeting Macho did not necessarily occur either. We witnessed the movie through Green’s perception so it’s simply irrelevant whether those character’s were real or imagined. All other characters in the movie Green interacted with and therefore were assumed to be real. Avi and Zach were his prison cell neighbors and they upheld their end of their promise and assisted him to liberate himself from his ego, and they lived happily ever after.
I like the movie because it was ambiguous and provoked deep consideration, although some parts did seem a little pretentious.
I find it slightly ironic how the people that spew verbal vitriol after failing to comprehend the plot in this movie, feel the need to express it publicly. One could construe them as victims of their own ego, and exactly what subject of the film is focused on.

People don't like to be made to think : 06/12/2008 09:28:19

Actually on reconsideration, it’s plausible that Mr Gold was not a real character, but in fact Avi and Zach. They crossed paths with Mr Gold and lived. That would not be difficult if Mr Gold was their creation.

People don't like to be made to think : 06/12/2008 10:00:17

The explanation for Jake’s fake ‘blood disease’ I believe to be a temporary blood poisoning delivered via the card that Zach handed him in the casino.

People don't like to be made to think : 06/12/2008 10:05:01

You are a fool Jim, the fact that you are not capable of comprehending something complex does not mean that it is stupid, it means that you are stupid.

Alex : 19/12/2008 20:38:16

sorry about my previous comment, I was in a bad mood. Jim, you are not so stupid.

Alex : 19/12/2008 21:48:05

Can anyone tell me the rules… the first was, you can only get better buy playing a better opponent.

thank you.

chris : 21/01/2009 17:29:08

so what happened to the brother?  i know his daughter got taken but did he die or survive?  Plus where does sorter fit in to all of this?  i thought he was mr gold for a bit until i thought that mr green was.  i think my brain imploded watching this movie.  especially with the cartoon bit.

yehaw : 16/02/2009 16:46:39

Greatest movie I ve ever seen....

Watch it may be more 20 times…

What I realise or think is script has changed dramatically while producing the film.

Many interpretations is possible. Such as Zak and avi is Mr.Gold. They re for real. Zak and avi does not exist… So on. Which I think have minor importance…

What is stunning here is how they embed personal develepment therapies in a gangstar movie.  Secret or what the bleep is for example more direct. But this one is totally indirect, but direct to sub concusiosness.  I hope this will lead a new category in future. Intellectual+action and self development… Dangerous combination:)

ali : 19/02/2009 16:46:49

This movie has topped my favourite list since last week beating The Matrix.  After seeing it 4-5 times and reading about game theory and con tricks it seems there is a completely another world out there. Could anyone please explain how Green could have created the whole con game around macha in 2 yrs.
Statham is the best actor for such movies......Chaos another good movie of him....

abhishek : 02/04/2009 10:44:03

If you watch carefully, Mr. Green had a cell with a window next to the door.  So he could not have been in between two other cells. Maybe Avi (A or alpha) represents logic (chess). Zac (Z or Omega) represents perception (quantum theory relies on a perceiver as do con men). 

I dont think avi or zac actually existed.

Larry : 08/05/2009 03:08:38

To people who don’t like/understand this movie you need to watch it more than once because it is extremely deep. I watched it 5 times already and I’m planning to watch it more times. Only after 5 times I understand what its about.

Mr Gold is as his name suggests Gold. He is money, he is greed, he is the ego that wishes to be better than everyone. “Its the only reason you get up in the morning. The only reason you suffer the shitty puss, the blood, the sweat and the tears. Its because you want people to know how good, attractive, generous, funny, wild and clever you really are. Fear or reveare me but please think Im special. We share an addiction, we are approval junkies. We are all in it for the slap in the back and the gold watch. The hip hip hoo fucking rah. Look at the clever boy with the badge polishing his trophie. We are just monkeys rapped in suits begging for the approval of others. If we knew this we wouldn’t do this..”

“He is behind every crime ever commited”

Mr Gold is the animal instinct.

The other part of ourselves is the godly part. The spirit.
What seperates us from the animals. It is that we must embrace to free ourselves.

Avi and Zac are real, they have fought “Mr. Gold“/ego and won. They have faced their ego and defeated it so now they “control” Mr. Gold and they can use him. They are the only ones who have faced Mr. Gold and lived.

All criminals are afraid of Mr. Gold because they don’t know who it is. But Zak and Avi know the truth, so all the criminals fear them. They are untouchable because they have defeated the ego and they no longer have fear.

The film is about facing your ego and controlling it, to free yourself. To become yourself.

I always like Guy Richie’s movies but this film is unbelievably awesome.

Guy Richie is officially best director ever in my book and Revolver best movie ever. I can’t believe that a guy actually made a film that is so good. It is the definition of classic. In 100 years or 1000 years it will still be one of the greatest movie. It is true art that liberates the soul. Its almost mystical.

Thank you Guy Richie.

Best film ever : 27/06/2009 05:12:08

Sam Gold is KAIZER SOZE

BOOM THERE WE GO NEW MOVIE LETS FILM IT ITS GONNA SELL LIKE HOT POCKETS.

Mo : 14/08/2009 18:03:07

seriously mate, wind your neck in!!

rdrr : 25/08/2009 18:55:13

The movie is amazingly the best. Ive literally watched it so many times than i can count or remember. It is true that the only way to get smarter or stronger or successful is by overcoming the one person (opponent) that has been defeating us our whole lives namely ego and fear. They are the only true opponents we have to fight and win with our love and self knowledge.

: 29/09/2009 17:05:13

True (lasting and enjoyable) success can only come by beating this opponent continuously successfully not by overcoming anyone else. Macha was easily overcome when green overcame his opponent.  I REALLY WISH THERE WAS A WEBSITE WHERE THEY DISCUSS IN DEPTH THE DETAILS OF THE PHILOSOPHY OR SPIRITUAL MEANING BEHIND THE REVOLVER STORY

: 29/09/2009 17:14:08

We are always inside our opponents environment namely Gold’s world- the physical. Our opponent speaks 2 us constantly telling us our physical tools namely the body and senses is the real us. Hence we always live in fear of dying, fear of not having enough(greed) , fear of losing (attachment ) and the borbardment of sensual stimulation from the physical blurs and dulls the truest part of us namely our intuition and our mind. To master my mind and use it to exercise control over the senses is the only way to beat Gold

: 29/09/2009 17:25:29

there are no credits because credits are ego boosters and the whole idea of the movie is how the ego affects every aspect of society and our daily life.... you can appreciate art even if you dont know who it is ... most importantly we celebrate egos… people with the biggest egos fuck the most girls get better jobs but they are never truly secure

james : 20/11/2009 11:13:56

Thanks for this.  It’s reassuring to see a positive review of this vastly underrated movie.  I fully expected to see 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, but instead found an especially dismal 17%.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10004826-revolver/

sam : 11/12/2009 05:11:45

…and, by the way, there IS a director’s cut version.

sam : 11/12/2009 05:13:33

…and, the director’s cut makes it look like the official version was produced by someone who didn’t quite get it.  Some (maybe all) apparent plot holes are resolved.

While the credits are rolling in the director’s cut, there are short clips of PhD’s discussing the ego as the enemy.

sam : 11/12/2009 07:06:30

Ok here is what I also noticed after watching the film...reading the insightful comments here and watching it again… First a few details…

The asian female assassin that falls under the table represents the ego/greed...everyone is looking around at the obvious places for the enemy, but she is hidden under the tables (sub rosa) from them and represents the real threat . 

Also, note that the books Mr. Green has in his prison cell are the same stack of books that are in front of Zak towards the end of the film...suggesting to me that they are figments of Green’s imagination.

Also Also, the handwriting in the books shown coming from Mr. Green matches the handwriting that Avi is shown producing (notice the stylistic number seven is the same). I think the same number appears on one of the money bags that Green is shown to be leaving on an a doorstep. So IMHO Avi is a figment of Green’s imagination.

Here is my take on the whole film: Mr. Green gets out of jail with the intention ( perhaps we should say his Ego’s intention of getting revenge from Ganster Liotta. But the better side of his nature- represented by Avi and Zak - intervene. In fact, they save his life. The Ego, at first, doesn’t let Green take Zak’s advice (take the elevator-in other words, face your Ego) so Green makes himself sick (at an almost subconscious level-demonstrating the power of the mind over the body)...with the possibility of death through a rare blood disease and the possibility of being killed by the gangster, the Ego is now more vulnerable to listening to Avi and Zak who represent Green’s mental tools that he utilises to defeat his Ego.  In order to fool the enemy/Ego further Green let’s it believe that it is getting revenge on the gangster by stealing his money and drugs, but in actually he is setting it up for a final blow. This is the stategy mentioned in the movie of letting the opponent think he is getting what he wants when in actuality it is part of the plan of defeating him. In the final part of the film, after letting go of his attachment to money, by giving it away (he is tricking the Ego into thinking the “loan sharks” are making him do it), he delivers the killing stroke to the control that his Ego has over him, by grovelling at the feet of his enemy instead of shooting him as the Ego intends, and showing the Ego that he is in control not it.

a very interesting and thought provoking film disguised as a typical Guy Richie gangster film. Perhaps Guy Ritchie is deceiving the Ego in each one of us into watching what we expect to be a typical film, when in actuality his intention is to get us to think about the power the Ego has over each one of us. 

hakan guven : 29/12/2009 07:42:42

You really need to see the Director’s Cut version to fully understand the film. (I saw the official version after that and just thought ?wtf? - and even wore: the DVD region-1 version)
But imho the film, as it was intended by Ritchie, is nothing less than ingenious.
But, well, it probably won’t change the world - and not only because most people just seem to not get it…

just me : 17/01/2010 22:12:20

By the way, @hakan guven:

I really like your idea about the pertty female asian assassin. She really might represent the ego/greed - fireing from a hidden place invisibly. And I think this theory is supported by the fact that only Sorter noticed her, because he is one of the very few that knows about the evil nature and the camouflage of the ego. (later he puts himself in great danger and also accepts financial cuts to protect a child)

Your idea about the handwritings is also interesting. But I’m not sure what I shold think about it. Probably it’s just nothing.

But I don’t agree with your theory about Avi and Zach not being real. I think they are just some (real) guys who in combination with each other (“chess and cons - a dangerous combination“) were able to figure out what the ego is, what kind game he(the ego) plays and how to beat him. And they “steal” Jake’s money to put him at war with himself (To face the enemy “You’ve got to induce head pain” - “Nothing hurts more than humiliation and a little loss of money“).

So they test him pretending being loan sharks and taking him to their “clients”. But Jake proves himself worthy, by being good and hurting anybody, for the final challange. So he’s got to engage the “Opponent”. They go to Macha’s casino. Macha of course seems to be Jake’s worst opponent. But he isn’t. And after letting Macha live Jake finds his real opponent. (“The greatest enemy will hide in the last place you would ever look” - Julius Caesar) Jake finds him literally there: in the house of his supposed enemy, and in the elevator (which he generally doesn’t like). So after defeating his enemy, his ego, he returns to Zach and Avi, where he plays chess against Avi - and loses. Now he realizes that Zach and Avi were his former cell neighbor and they were playing a game with him to make him ready to come with them (“The only way to get smarter is by playing a smarter opponent.” Fundamentals of Chess).

In the elevator Jake has finally seen the nature of the ego, just as Zach and Avi got to see throgh the ego while the were doing nothing more than thinking for 10 years in prison in the cells next to Jake. They left without him because he “wasn’t ready to come with them”. But now that he passed all their tests and won the battle against the opponent (his ego) he is ready.

Macha acting as a weird psycho with a gun in front of the elevator is a extereme example for a man who is totally consumed by his ego. (The ego always says: “fear or revear me, but please think I’m special“) But as Jake just ignores him he is confused and very afraid. - The ego has consumed him, it has become him - while Jake however got rid of his “ego-boundaries” and leves as a free man.

So, this is my humble interpretation.
I hope we’ve seen the same version, the Director’s Cut.
I’ll be glad to hear your opinions.

just me again : 17/01/2010 23:40:49

the person whose commentary is the original is absolutely correct in the substance of his arguement but is not smart enough to properly get his point across. this script and film will be the discussion of intellects and philosophers. some are too stupid to see what its really about and so they are afraid to admit it and instead say it was bullshit rather than man up and say they weren’t smart enough to understand it fully. happens in many situations...shame, shame, shame.

bizzy : 06/03/2010 01:41:03