‘You Were Never Really Here’ is purposely brutal but effectively keeps you present

“You Were Never Really Here” – “McCleary said you were brutal.” – State Senator Albert Votto (Alex Manette) “I can be.” – Joe (Joaquin Phoenix) Joe might look like an average one, but he lives in extremes.  Now, he does not partake in extreme hobbies like sky diving, bungee jumping or riding motorcycles at high speeds but instead, he works irregular hours under extreme circumstances.  Ones that only very brave, very resolute or very damaged individuals could pursue. In Joe’s case, he is all three. Writer/director Lynne Ramsay and Phoenix…