Review: White God

If Benji: The Hunted were directed by Guillermo De Toro and filmed by Anthony Dod Mantle that might have created the kind of intoxicating magical realism that White God has in spades. What's even more impressive is that the film's metaphor works in spades, society's underdogs will fight back if pushed too far.

The film center's around Lili and Hagan. They love each other but Lili's father disapproves. Hagan is a dog but if you were to substitute the dog with a young teenager, you would have a completely different film. Director Kornél Mundruczó seems to know this and plays with the convention of a prison break film, us versus them style odds, and many other genres.

The film's tonal shifts will make it or break it for many. The film is at times gritty and real and at other times close to a talking animal movie. However, the undercurrent of political angst keeps the film's pulse beating steady.

Visually the film is a sight to behold. How over 200 dogs were coraled to achieve some of these stunning sequences is nothing short of miraculous. The final shot of the film is near perfect, finally quieting the film's rubberbanding tonal shifts into a touching finale.

Overall White God is more ambitious and unique that completely successful in every moment. The film has such giant highs that one can easily look past its overlong running time or some of its weaker moments. This is a film you won't easily forget. 

4/5