3 out 4 stars.
David Michod's 2014 film "The Rover" tells the simple tale of Eric (played by Guy Pearce) and the search for his car in Australia 10 years after "the collapse". It is a slow burning film that is more of a character study than a post-apocalyptic thriller. Michod focuses more on character, mood, and atmosphere.
Eric is a man of few words and holds a cynical view of the world. The desert wasteland around him is a place without justice, where brothers leave each other behind and humanity is hard to hold onto. Eric and everyone around him are trapped in this world like dogs in cages. When Eric's car is taken by 3 men (played by Scoot McNairy, David Field, and Tawanda Manyimo), he goes on a search for it and meets Rey (played by Robert Pattinson), the brother of one of the people who took Eric's car.
Eric, willing but reluctant to use violence, and Rey, who is eager to use but fears violence, traverse through this old western-like world as they struggle with the good and evil in themselves. The car is the key to understanding Eric more (which I won't spoil here).
Guy Pearce carries the film brilliantly (he doesn't even need to speak in order for us to understand what he's feeling). Robert Pattinson also does good job as the mentally challenged Rey. Watch how they contort their bodies (like Eric's slouched shoulder). Antony Partos' score is moody and hypnotic and Natasha Braier beautifully captures the scenery. Braier's cinematography is calm in this chaotic world and lingers on the characters (sometimes it is very effective and other times it drags the film).
The story is a bit forced at times and some of the scenes do not seem necessary, but "The Rover" is an engaging film that questions the good and evil in men and how to survive in a world without justice. Michod is a fresh and original voice and Pearce gives one of his best performances.
David Michod's 2014 film "The Rover" tells the simple tale of Eric (played by Guy Pearce) and the search for his car in Australia 10 years after "the collapse". It is a slow burning film that is more of a character study than a post-apocalyptic thriller. Michod focuses more on character, mood, and atmosphere.
Eric is a man of few words and holds a cynical view of the world. The desert wasteland around him is a place without justice, where brothers leave each other behind and humanity is hard to hold onto. Eric and everyone around him are trapped in this world like dogs in cages. When Eric's car is taken by 3 men (played by Scoot McNairy, David Field, and Tawanda Manyimo), he goes on a search for it and meets Rey (played by Robert Pattinson), the brother of one of the people who took Eric's car.
Eric, willing but reluctant to use violence, and Rey, who is eager to use but fears violence, traverse through this old western-like world as they struggle with the good and evil in themselves. The car is the key to understanding Eric more (which I won't spoil here).
Guy Pearce carries the film brilliantly (he doesn't even need to speak in order for us to understand what he's feeling). Robert Pattinson also does good job as the mentally challenged Rey. Watch how they contort their bodies (like Eric's slouched shoulder). Antony Partos' score is moody and hypnotic and Natasha Braier beautifully captures the scenery. Braier's cinematography is calm in this chaotic world and lingers on the characters (sometimes it is very effective and other times it drags the film).
The story is a bit forced at times and some of the scenes do not seem necessary, but "The Rover" is an engaging film that questions the good and evil in men and how to survive in a world without justice. Michod is a fresh and original voice and Pearce gives one of his best performances.