Once again a film maker dips into what was once termed
“grindhouse” films and comes up with something original, violent, bloody and
fun. EVERLY stars Salma Hayek as Everly, an ex-prostitute and the mistress of a
mysterious mob boss/Yakuza member Taiko (Hiroyuki Watanabe). Having double
crossed and stolen money from Taiko the film opens (off-screen) with Everly
raped and beaten by Taiko’s henchmen in her apartment. But Everly has no
intention of going down without a fight.
Everly has been hiding something else from Taiko. She has a
daughter and to ensure her safety she will survive this night to make sure
Taiko never sets his hands on her. Using what she has at hand Everly takes out
the guards and fellow prostitutes hoping to collect the reward money for her
death in a sweeping piece of action choreography. She then sets up shop to
handle Taiko. As she prepares he calls her and informs her that the odds of her
survival this night are slim to none. His men are already on their way.
Everly contacts her mother as she prepares for Taiko’s men.
She gathers the money she stole in a large duffle bag and calls her mother who
is watching her daughter, trying to get her there to take the money and leave
with her daughter. In the meantime Everly prepares for battle by arming herself
with any weapon she can find amid the bodies of the men who were guarding her.
She has one ally, one of the guards who did not participate in her humiliation
and was shot trying to save her. They discuss a strategy as they wait.
Before her mother can arrive, Taiko’s men beat her there.
Watching the lobby and waiting for the main villain henchman, Everly’s mother
talks her way past the guards and arrives for the money with Everly’s daughter
in tow. The duo attempt to leave but by then the bad guys are on their way up
the elevator and Everly hides them in a room nearby. This begins another major
battle for her and the result is her capture by Taiko’s main assassin/torturer.
The odds are worsening for Everly, her mother and her daughter leaving this
building alive. But even this won’t prepare you for the final twist.
The movie isn’t plot driven even though it does have plenty
to offer. Instead we’re more about action here and there is plenty of that on
hand. Hayek does a great job of shooting, stabbing, punching and blowing up
unsavory characters as well as the majority of her apartment. This is a woman
who can handle herself when the need arises, a woman who will do anything to
protect her daughter and who does so in scene after scene. It’s nice to see a
strong female character take the lead in a picture like this.
The movie is well made with some great photography to handle
the action on display. Special effects are not overdone with the occasional use
of CGI blood, but for the most part practical effects are used and done so with
a knowing hand. Weapons are not limited to guns and the swordplay on hand seems
natural as well.
In the end this felt like a spaghetti western place in a
modern day setting with a woman in the lead. Alter a few points here and there
and it would be easy to imagine Lee Van Cleef or Clint Eastwood in the title
role. This is a single person’s attempt at survival to save the one thing she
loves from the one person she hates above all others. It’s fast paced, action
packed and worth a watch or two.
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