Bronson
Starring Tom Hardy
Three words I'd use to describe the British film Bronson. Based on the true story of Britain's most notorious prisoner, Michael Gordon Peterson, director Nicolas Winding Refn has crafted one oddball flick that contains a powerful performance from actor Tom Hardy.
At twentysomething, Michael Peterson robs a post office and is sent to prison for seven years. While there, Peterson displays many violent tendencies (which cause his sentence to be extended) and he spends much of his time in solitary confinement. He moves in and out of various prisons (and mental institutions) and soon crafts an alter ego for himself -- that of famous American tough guy Charles Bronson. It's not that Peterson is Bronson, it's just that he wants to embody the persona that the movie star carries.
In and of itself, Bronson (the film) is essentially a prison tale about a really rough guy. What sets the film apart is director Refn's choices. Bronson (the character) often talks directly to the camera. Refn utilizes some incredibly odd musical cues. But, most uniquely, Refn often has Bronson appearing on an empty stage, clothed in ever-changing attire, covered in a variety of make-up (from a clown to a mime to a woman), standing in front of an audience of elite British folk telling his tale. Explaining the set-up doesn't really do the mise-en-scene justice, but it's evident that Refn is setting Peterson/Bronson up as a "star." At the start of the film, Peterson states that all he ever wanted in life was "to be known for something...to be famous." Putting him front and center on a stage, while an obvious ploy, works immeasurably.
While Refn's directorial choices are certainly admirable, the real star of the show is Tom Hardy. His Bronson is funny and frightening, often within seconds of each other. The character is difficult to look at sometimes because there truly is a sense of "evil" up on the screen, which is all the more scary because this loose cannon is a real person. It's no wonder the real Bronson has spent over 30 of his 34 years in prison in solitary confinement. This is one nasty guy and Tom Hardy is pretty amazing at portraying him.
All that being said, the film falters a bit in the middle when Bronson is released from prison for the first (and only) time. The 69 days he spends outside of his cell felt a tad drawn out, but that's a minor quibble.
The way this flick is shot, it certainly won't appeal to all. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some couldn't make it past the first ten minutes. However, it worked quite well for me, and, if you're up for it, it's streaming on Netflix as of this posting.
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Interesting. Weird. Unique.
Three words I'd use to describe the British film Bronson. Based on the true story of Britain's most notorious prisoner, Michael Gordon Peterson, director Nicolas Winding Refn has crafted one oddball flick that contains a powerful performance from actor Tom Hardy.
At twentysomething, Michael Peterson robs a post office and is sent to prison for seven years. While there, Peterson displays many violent tendencies (which cause his sentence to be extended) and he spends much of his time in solitary confinement. He moves in and out of various prisons (and mental institutions) and soon crafts an alter ego for himself -- that of famous American tough guy Charles Bronson. It's not that Peterson is Bronson, it's just that he wants to embody the persona that the movie star carries.
In and of itself, Bronson (the film) is essentially a prison tale about a really rough guy. What sets the film apart is director Refn's choices. Bronson (the character) often talks directly to the camera. Refn utilizes some incredibly odd musical cues. But, most uniquely, Refn often has Bronson appearing on an empty stage, clothed in ever-changing attire, covered in a variety of make-up (from a clown to a mime to a woman), standing in front of an audience of elite British folk telling his tale. Explaining the set-up doesn't really do the mise-en-scene justice, but it's evident that Refn is setting Peterson/Bronson up as a "star." At the start of the film, Peterson states that all he ever wanted in life was "to be known for something...to be famous." Putting him front and center on a stage, while an obvious ploy, works immeasurably.
While Refn's directorial choices are certainly admirable, the real star of the show is Tom Hardy. His Bronson is funny and frightening, often within seconds of each other. The character is difficult to look at sometimes because there truly is a sense of "evil" up on the screen, which is all the more scary because this loose cannon is a real person. It's no wonder the real Bronson has spent over 30 of his 34 years in prison in solitary confinement. This is one nasty guy and Tom Hardy is pretty amazing at portraying him.
All that being said, the film falters a bit in the middle when Bronson is released from prison for the first (and only) time. The 69 days he spends outside of his cell felt a tad drawn out, but that's a minor quibble.
The way this flick is shot, it certainly won't appeal to all. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if some couldn't make it past the first ten minutes. However, it worked quite well for me, and, if you're up for it, it's streaming on Netflix as of this posting.
The RyMickey Rating: B
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