MOVIE MONDAYS: THE ROVER
Well 'ello, 'ello, 'ello! Hope you've all had a fabulous weekend and have started this week off with a smile. Today, I shall be sharing some of my thoughts on David Michôd's film, The Rover. I saw this sometime in August with a group of fellow film lovers in Manchester at the Cornerhouse on what was quite a busy Saturday for me - had a few flat viewings lined up that morning as it was about the time for me to move to yet another new place. Only armed with the fact that this was a Robert Pattinson and Guy Pearce film that could be about a treasured car made by Jaguar Land Rover, as I'd never heard of David Michôd before nor seen any of his films nor read this film's blurb, I went into the cinema quite intrigued to find out how the still used for the film's poster came about and was so special about this Rover. Boy was my curiosity thrown sideways at what information was thrown at it...
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I do not think I have ever come out of a cinema completely speechless when asked what my thoughts were on the movie I just seen. I was shocked by quite a number of things but mostly the violence. I was confused by some aspects of the plot. I was irritated that I did not figure out how the title of the film relates to the story. And to top it all off I did not get to at least watch the film in a decent seat - I am positive where you sit does affect the overall cinematic experience. I took comfort in the fact that majority of the people that I went to see this with shared my confusion about the collection of scenes we had just witnessed but there were a couple of people who rather enjoyed The Rover which made me feel like I missed something. However inconspicuous or too-obvious-to-be-it the key to understanding story was, I must have missed it. I genuinely thought that there had to have been a prequel which I was unaware of or we got the wrong version of the film. But then, after dissecting the film in a nearby pub with my new friends over a cool pint of cider and a delicious pub meal, I came to the conclusion that maybe... just maybe... I have gotten used to watching things that give you everything; that don't give you room to connect the dots or see past the lack of a back-story and just see the characters for what they are in the moments shared on-screen or make up your own reasons as to how the characters ended up where they are now. I dunno... clearly haha
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What I do know is this: Guy Pearce (Iron Man 3; The King's Speech; The Road) did a fantastic job at portraying Eric- a man in living in Australia during some dark times who it seems really had nothing to lose which definitely freed him from the chains that come with acknowledging the possible consequences of your actions. Though ruthless Eric may seem there was some sliver of light within the darkness that was coaxed out by his encounter with Rey - a young, misunderstood man who despite his presumed shortcomings was adamant at proving his usefulness in the dire situation he found himself in whilst holding onto some of his humanity. He was played brilliantly by Robert Pattinson (Water for Elephants; Remember Me; Twilight). My favourite scene had to be the one with Rey in a car singing along to a Keri Hilson song. Ha! Definitely lightened the mood somewhat.
The screenplay for The Rover, which has quite bleak, violent and yet hopeful undertones, was not only written by David Michôd (Animal Kingdom; Hesher) but it was also brought to our screens under the direction of the same man. Cannot say I completely understood what he was going for with this film but it is definitely one I would like to see again only to dig for more clues to help me understand the characters a bit better and therefore some of the decisions they made. But even though this is by no means my kind of film at all, I am glad I saw it... sort of... haha.
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If you are in for a film about the journey of man living a world where the economy has gone to pot, has zero inhibitions and is adamant about protecting the last of his possessions from those who threaten his current way of life then this movie is for you. Be prepared to be thrown mid-way into the lives of people experiencing dark times and are doing the best they can with the little life has thrown their way.
Mo x