Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Billy Wonka (A) on June 20, 2014 at 17:57:49

NOT.

It's been ten years since the "collapse" and things are every bit as bad as Mad Max's time. This story is set in the barren, dusty lands of Australia where electricity and petrol are scarce. You wouldn't want to be there.

Enter the Guy Pearce as a solitary man who comes into a local bar for a drink or two. He parks his car outside and soon a truck careens passed rolling over with three brigands aboard. The thugs shake off their spin and set about stealing Pearce's car. He doesn't realize the snatch at first but then seizes the spun truck and gets it cranked. He pursues them like a man possessed and has no intention of quitting until he gets HIS car back.

Pearce radiates traumatized intensity throughout the whole film and only bits and pieces of his life come forward as the film progresses. Pattison plays the half-wit brother of one of the three thugs that steals his car. He is an adversary who becomes somewhat of a strained ally as things move on. His role a "sidekick" has none of the strength of character Pearce puts forward.

This is a stark, deliberately paced film filled with shocking violence. It shows with unrelenting detail the results of the coming collapse. Even the passing rail cars have Chinese characters painted on them.

This is not your granny's knitting special. It may not be yours either. The greatest obstacle is the pace and Pattison who does not support Pearce on his own level.