Review of Bronson (2009) by Ricardo O — 10 Jan 2013

A bit of a big surprise of how much I actually liked watching this movie. Tom Hardy as the U.K.'s "most violent prisoner" is absolutely psychotic and it is a lot of fun to behold. This is no where near being any kind of mainstream film and will undoubtedly remain a "cult" film, one which many may come out not liking, and one which many will come out really enjoying it simply because it such a darkly humorous movie about a man with so much rage inside. Incredible that the man has been in prison for 34+ years and for 30 of those years he has spent in solitary confinement despite NEVER killing a single being; he just beats the hell out of the poor sods. This was deservedly Tom Hardy's big breakthrough as he delivers one hell of a performance enhanced by the gritty, stylish cinematography and the direction of Danish writer/director Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive). Be warned that this is not for those that don't like violence because it is very violent and also beware because there is quite a bit of full frontal nudity, which does get a bit awkward as he fights quite a few guards all the while being completely nude. It's a bit like this generation's A Clockwork Orange only it isn't really political or even satirical.

Two things are for sure: Tom Hardy can really give a riveting performance, and Nicolas Winding Refn really has an ear for good '80s music or music influenced by '80s synthpop. In two scenes he uses songs by synthpop innovators, the first is a humorous scene in a mental institution that plays a song by Pet Shop Boys, and the other is a scene where Charlie Bronson is fresh out of prison and sent home (briefly anyway) that plays a song by New Order.

I believe Bronson is a movie that is worth watch. There is no doubt that it is a cult film that will gain more and more followers but also have plenty of detractors. If you want to see something new, give Bronson a try. But don't say I didn't warn you about its graphic nature. 8/10.