Review of Bronson (2009) by Ross B — 21 Jan 2012
A dark and twisted biopic on England's "most violent criminal" presents the life of Michael Peterson, or as he is now known, Charles Bronson. Tom Hardy stars as Bronson, a criminally insane individual who desires to be famous.
His only skill though seems to be fighting and violence and so he naturally decides to become the most dangerous criminal in all of England. Nicolas Winding Refn has the film jump from Bronson's narration of his life to this bizarre fantasy world in which Bronson is presenting his life story to a crowd of what seems to be in a Victorian style theater.
Hardy is absolutely haunting and horrifying as Bronson himself. Every time he is on screen, he commands it. You are never entirely sure what he plans on doing next, but you know that it will not end well for several prison guards.
The film does straddle a line of being an exploitation film and being a work of art on the criminal psyche. It is still an interesting film to watch even though at times it can seem to jump from place to place.
Yet at the same time you get the sense that this is how Bronson's mind works. It is not linear and his thoughts are at times disjointed. But the compelling performance from Hardy completely makes the film.
This review of Bronson (2009) was written by Ross B on 21 Jan 2012.
Bronson has generally received positive reviews.
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