Review of Starred Up (2014) by Robert M — 17 Jan 2015

Jack O'Connell delivers an amazing performance as a troubled youth offender at the tipping point of his life. Does he fully commit to the violent life of a career criminal in the English prison system or accept another pass and possible way out offered by a volunteer counselor.

Much like Tom Hardy's performance in Bronson, O'Connell captures the mannerisms and emotion of troubled and violent individual capable of glimpses of normalcy. Unlike Hardy as Charlie Bronson, O'Connell's character Eric Love has not yet traveled so far down his path that he cannot reverse his course and O'Connell makes sure the audience understands that the character knows it and is wrestling with his options.

Much like Hardy in Bronson has made me seek out Hardy's other work, I look forward to seeing more of Jack O'Connell.