Review of Bronson (2009) by Collier W — 26 Sep 2012

Tom Hardy has become an acting sensation over the past year, and like Michael Fassbender, his earlier work has gone unappreciated by audiences. What Fassbender did so well in "Hunger," Hardy does just as well in "Bronson" -- they act, and they act well. If you need proof of Tom Hardy's acting talents, look no further than his gleeful and maniacal portrayal of famous prisoner Charlie Bronson. Hardy spares no gruesome detail of Bronson's sociopathic behavior, nor does he spare any detail about himself as an actor and human being (you'll see a lot of Hardy's tiny willy).

I had seen "Bronson" before Nicolas Winding Refn's "Drive," but I'm glad I went back to watch it again, because I noticed more of Refn's directing style that is present in both films. Refn often takes a kinetic approach to filmmaking -- much of "Bronson" is quick-witted and powerful. "Drive" may have been a simple and slow-paced film, but Refn's true kinetic, artistic style is there beneath the narrative. That being said, Refn's musical taste is also present in both films ("Bronson" has a few 80s-europop tracks).

If you don't mind the violence (which isn't that bad compared to most films), "Bronson" is definitely worth a viewing. Hardy is incredible in it, and hopefully it will inspire some people to check out the rest of Refn's (and Hardy's) work.