Review of The Rover (2014) by Thomas L — 26 Sep 2014

Bleak, and thought provoking, The Rover is one of the best thrillers of the year. Director David Michod's Animal Kingdom was Australia's answer to Goodfellas, perhaps The Rover isn't quite the new Mad Max, but it's an excellent sophomore effort.

To be clear, this is not an action film, it's rather plodding. It's characters are survivors, for better or for worse, of societal and economic collapse. Guy Pearce is no stranger to playing grizzled anti heroes, although really there is nothing heroic about his actions.

Robert Pattinson is the surprise of the whole shebang, he is quite good, seeming eon's away from Twilight. The offbeat score created by Antony Partos is somehow perfect for this world turned upside down.

If you're seeking exhilaration or excitement.. look elsewhere, by the time the film reaches it's morbidly simple climax you will have already felt as though you'd sat through the most depressing road trip in recent memory.