Review of Lawless (2012) by Jennifer D — 03 Feb 2013

Muted is the only word I can use to describe this film. From the trailer I expected much more action, but instead got a few scuffles which usually end with Tom Hardy's character punching everyone in the face with his knuckle dusters. It feels like it's building up to a big shoot-out but the final action scenes don't really deliver.

I know this is based on a true story but a screenwriter will usually find something meaningful between the lines to make the story interesting for cinema. I don't see that here. It feels like it should be about the bond between brothers, but there is no real bond, they're three solitary people because two of them believe they need to be tough to survive.

Tom Hardy and Guy Pearce are excellent and the film is worth seeing just for their performances. I can't believe I'm saying this but even Shia LaBeuf is pretty good, but only because he plays a snivelling suck-up who's constantly seeking the approval from others.

Not a bad film, but I was expecting much more from this one.