Gus Van Sant's 'The Rope Around the Neck' Disappoints with Weak Storytelling

Gus Van Sant's return to the big screen after a seven-year absence, "La Corde au cou" (The Rope Around the Neck), has failed to impress, despite its intriguing premise and the director's established talent. Neither the Venice Film Festival nor Swiss distributors saw fit to champion the film, and upon viewing, the reasons become apparent: the movie, based on a largely forgotten true crime event from the 1970s, ultimately disappoints.

The film centers on Tony Kiritsis, an Indianapolis man ruined by a bad loan who devises a desperate plan. He storms a lending company, Meridian, demanding an apology and compensation for what he claims was the theft of his business idea. Finding only the company's son, Richard Hall, Kiritsis places a wire around his neck, connected to a shotgun trigger, and takes him hostage. Police arrive but hesitate to intervene, creating a tense standoff.

Van Sant's technical skill is evident, maintaining an illusion of suspense that offers a viewing pleasure superior to many contemporary films. However, this initial engagement fades as the narrative progresses. The film suffers from a lack of a distinct point of view, causing it to lose momentum and impact. The potentially political subject matter, involving media and justice, and the setting in 1970s America, are present but not fully explored or leveraged.

Ultimately, "La Corde au cou" squanders its potential. While it showcases Van Sant's directorial craft, the story feels underdeveloped and lacks the compelling perspective needed to elevate it beyond a mere recounting of events. The film's initial promise dissolves, leaving audiences with a sense of anticlimax rather than the gripping thriller it could have been.

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Despite a know-how that maintains the illusion for a time – and therefore a viewing pleasure superior to many current films, justifying this direct import on its own – disillusionment gains ground: deprived of a real point of view, the film deflates badly upon arrival.