TYRANNOSAUR (2011)

Written & Directed By: Paddy Considine
Cinematography By: Erik Alexander Wilson
Editor: Pia Di Ciaula

Cast: Peter Mullan, Olivia Coleman, Eddie Marsan, Archie Lal, Jag Sanghera
The story of Joseph, a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction. As Joseph's life spirals into turmoil, a chance at redemption appears in the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop worker. Their relationship develops to reveal that Hannah is hiding a secret of her own with devastating consequences to both of their lives.

While this film seems to immerse you in a culture, where it seems violence is an everyday occurrence. So much so that it seems natural. The film still manages to shock you when there is a scene of violence and thankfully avoids the sensationalism of the violence shown to instead focus more on the troubling aftermath and the way it plays psychologically with the characters.

Peter Mullan Gives an excellent performance while seeming not to put any energy or effort into it. That is scary and poignant as a man whose very nature is natural and violent, but tries to go straight due to a new found friendship, even though temptation is around him all the time. As spellbinding as he is his characters seems to long more than anything.

Eddie Marsan, I miss when he used to play good guys. More recently he seems to always be playing villains, disturbed or just evil. which does show his range beloved one moment then scary the next with unknown instances of violence, Don’t get me wrong he plays it well. I think it’s his diminutive looks and easy going style that make you think he’s a nice guy and uses that to play surprisingly disturbed characters. It’s his bait like a serial killer. Waiting to catch you off guard.

Olivia Coleman is a surprise as the previous things I have seen her in have been from british television comedy roles on the shows PEEPSHOW and SHAMELESS. So more often it is surprising to see her standing on her own here playing a battered character at the end of her rope, but still has a decency.

Paddy Considine directs this film with a sure and steady hand. It’s like a kitchen sink drama that has a style to it. That is dark as he slowly reveals characters, motives, History and Relationships. Each scene feels like a revelation.

It makes me wonder why it seems character actors directorial debuts always seem to focus on tales of hard living and domestic violence in some form or another. Maybe it’s autobiographical and it’s stories they feel are never made or never given justice too. This is a film that while disturbing you can’t deny the skill of the director nor the cast. Everyone gives it all to make a deeply affecting film.

GRADE: B +