Renowned Scottish actor and director Peter Mullan takes the leading role in this downbeat drama which is the directorial debut of Paddy Considine, star of the brilliant Dead Man’s Shoes.
Mullan is Joseph, an abusive brutish drunk of a man who, through shared misery, befriends local charity shop worker Hannah (Olivia Colman).
Mullan and Colman are fantastic in their portrayals of a lonely man with nothing left to live for and an outwardly respectable woman who hides an alcohol problem and an abusive husband.
At times this is a difficult watch. I almost switched off after the sickening (and needless) opening scene but Mullan makes for compulsive viewing so I persevered and was rewarded with a film that demonstrates the remarkable acting skill of the two leads and heralds the arrival of Considine as a fine director.
Unfortunately the film drags the viewer into the constant depressing atmosphere shown and the lack of uplifting moments mean that as a whole, it fails to entertain.
Powerful and compelling but ultimately just too miserable.
Tyrannosaur is available on DVD now.
Ric’s Rating: Dodgy
Sounds like the odd moment of humour might have helped. Mullen is a fine actor, but this looks like typecasting.
ReplyDeleteIt was crying out for a bit of humour Michael, anything to lighten it up a bit.
ReplyDeleteI won't watch it when feeling down, then.
ReplyDeleteIt'd drive you over the edge Alex!
ReplyDeleteGood review!
ReplyDeleteBig Paddy Considine fan, will watch it eventually. Looks pretty depressing.
I really wanted to like it Ty but it drags you down. Maybe that's the idea but it wasn't pleasant.
ReplyDelete