Review of Rust and Bone (2012) by Caesar M — 27 Jan 2013

I almost passed on watching "Rust and Bone" if it wasn't for Marion Cotillard. Marion Cotillard (who Nolan likes killing in his films) impressed me in Public Enemies and Inception so I chose to view it on that alone. I ended being more than impress with Cotillard performance and I was engage in the realism of its story.

Rust and Bone is two characters their way through life against all odds. The story here is presented in a realistic manner when we're given one character who's emotionally handicapped and the other being physically handicapped. Both characters are different from each other which is where it shines in strong characterization. The main characters we follow face real problems, they act like real people would while not becoming sentimental nor romantic in execution. We're given events that deals with it themes of independence, love, and dreams. It themes are explore in a mature manner which in other films would have be plague by cliches and sentimentality. The plot is not original by any means and the narrative does have some issues, but it is well written drama that treats it subject matters with maturity.

Matthias Schoenaerts and Marion Cotillard deliver powerhouse performances, but it's Cotillard who I felt the got the most out of her role. Cotillard goes from being an woman who's sorta happy with her life to becoming unable to deals her life after a tragic accident. Cotillard is makes her transformation feels gracefully natural. She's was able to get me engage in her character in some scenes where she didn't have dialogue. Her chemistry with actor Matthias Schoenaerts feels authentic and when both actors share a scene together are some of the film best highlights. Matthias Schoenaerts takes most of the screen time and is equally as powerful. Even though his character doesn't show much emotion to anyone else he's able to have us root for him. Strong acting from its two leads makes the mature story all the more compelling.

Rust and Bone benefits from having two strong leads and telling a familiar story in refreshing manner treating the viewers like adults. It's mature, compelling, and above all a quality drama that also works as terrific character study.