All reviews designed to be read in (approximately) one minute (or so) or less, for today's crazy, hurried world - all SPOILER-FREE!

Sunday, August 31, 2014

THE ROVER (2014)

The Australian outback, not looking this desolate since Mad Max, features as the third main character in this beautifully-filmed drama, set "ten years after a global economic collapse" in which a tough-as-nails loner named Eric (Guy Pearce) stops one day for a cool drink, only to have his car stolen by a trio of outlaws.  Pursuing them in the truck they'd abandoned, it's obvious from jump that Eric is possessed with getting his car back, but they elude him - that is, until the young brother of one of the crooks, the mentally-challenged Rey (an incredible Robert Pattinson), finds the truck, Eric essentially kidnapping the young man, the two starting out on a road journey to find Rey's brother and the car.  The film is violent, bleak, and - thanks to Pattinson's understated and wholly believable performance, especially - an intense, riveting watch.  Pearce has often been brilliant in front of the camera, but it's Pattinson here who steals the show. (rated R)  ****

2 comments:

  1. Great review again Donald. Not sure it's quite my sort of film, but I have seen Guy Pearce in other things and quite like him. I found the picture confusing though, I couldn't recognise either of them! Mary

    ReplyDelete
  2. Having seen Leonardo di Caprio play a young guy with learning difficulties, to great effect in "What's eating Gilbert Grape?", it's would be interesting to see Pattinson in a similar role and for that reason alone I'd watch this. Not sure if it is exactly my sort of film but having read the review, I'm inspired to try it

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.