Disc Reviews

The Rover Review

• 2nd Jan 2015

Eric (Guy Pearce) is drifting through the Australian outback only by chance to have his car stolen by a group of petty criminals. He heads off in search of them fully intent on getting back what belongs to him; But also by chance it seems that Tey (Robert Pattinson) is treading on similar tracks. This is fortunate for Eric as Rey is the younger, and wounded brother, of one of the gang he is after.

Eric takes Rey in tow so he can use him as a bargaining chip once he catches up with the men. Naturally it is going to be some time before this happens, so Eric and Rey get plenty of time to become acquainted with one and other – not to mention have a few run ins with the locals along the way.

From Director David Michod (Animal Kingdom) this film essays the gutter level of man, his sins, kinship and the little he can do to redeem himself. It’s not easy viewing by any means, but does explore characters not commonly portrayed in cinema.

Both leads are terrific in their roles, but The Rover will test audiences patience. There are no heroic figures here. That is made clear early on through Eric’s actions when he starts to build his arsenal to fight back against the men that have wronged him. Everyone in this film is on the wrong side of the law and have little to offer the audience in the way of sympathetic figures.

If you like your thrillers slowly burning, often threatening to fizzle out, but with strong performances from reliable character actors set loose in a barren landscape then this is the one for you.

Steven Hurst