Review of Rust and Bone (2012) by Steven K — 31 Mar 2013

Indeed, there is not only rust and bone in this mixed bag of a movie, but also other elements: high drama, blood-spattered boxing, parenting dilemmas,medical crises, and some hot 'n heavy het-humping.

It's almost too much for one movie, and yet it works. Although it looks to be a sort of art film in the mode of Swept Away, it is more gritty than arty. Marion Cotillard underplayed her role with deft professionalism; otherwise the material could've veered into campy melodrama.

I doubt the filmaker intended this as a celebration of the male body (in this case, a muscle-bound bouncer/boxer), but the camera seems to swoon over his anatomy constantly throughout the movie,(an unexpected cinematic perk if you like big, macho, blue collar blokes!).

Have a face-fan or hanky handy girls; the lovemaking is not of the tender, sensual sort, but more like bodies ramming like anuimals on the Discovery Channel under the influence of all that bitter passion against life's injustices.

That said, the actor was excellent and totally believable. The soundtrack includes as many elements as the movie, including housey dance music,the B-52s "Love Shack", the usual soft piano mood-music as needed, and, most apropos of all, Katy Perry singing "Fireworks" at least twice.

Indeed there are some fireworks in this artful film, which has a leg up (no pun intended!) on much of its more sleepy competition.