Bronson

Bronson

Directed by: Tom Hardy

Starring: Nicholas Winding Refn

Reviewed by: Conor Flynn







• Directors Audio Commentary
• Making of
• Audio Introduction from Charles Bronson
• Tom Hardy – Building the Body
• TV Spots
• Trailers

Surely I can be forgiven as a reviewer for approaching this film with caution. The film is, after all, one of the most controversial films of the year. Bronson is based (loosely) upon the life of Michael Peterson, Britain’s most violent prisoner, sentenced in 1974 for the attempted robbery of a post office and his thirty four years of incarceration since then. It shouldn’t really surprise to learn that the film is executive produced by none other than Nick Love, a man whose directing endeavours include sensationalist muck such as ‘The Football Factory’ and the utterly boneheaded ‘Outlaw’. Love should stick to the role of executive producing because Bronson is, unexpectedly, a superb film.

The film isn’t really a biopic on Michael Peterson, but a meditation of his transformation into the character of Bronson. On the surface, the film appears to be lightweight, but this is due to the surrealistic take which the director adopts the films morally dubious story. Instead of concentrating on vindicating Bronson’s actions, the film portrays a character who struggles (and extremely violently at that) with his own sense of artificiality through performance art. Bronson is a construct of superficiality and the dangers of such. Accusations of the film glorifying violence seem to miss this point.

The film is directed with amazing visual flare, which calls to mind any Stanley Kubrick film, though most obvious comparisons can be made to ‘A Clockwork Orange’. Similarly impressive is the films soundtrack, which makes great use of classical compositions,’ but also makes thrilling use of The Walker Brothers ‘The Electrician,’ Pet Shop Boy’s ‘It’s a Sin’ and Glass Candy’s ‘Digital Versicolors’. Topping this all off is a truly mesmerizing performance by Tom Hardy who is both darkly humorous and frightening in the pivotal role of Bronson. Surely it’s only a matter of time before Hollywood comes calling…

The DVD itself offers a fascinating commentary with director Nicholas Winding Refn moderated by critic Alan Jones. DVD picture quality is very grainy and slightly washed out, but this adds to the aesthetic appeal of the film. Sound, both in 5.1 and 2.0 are fine and without any noticeable faults. Other extras include a controversial audio introduction by Charles Bronson, which is eerie to listen to. After this we have a glorified advert for body building which shows how Hardy bulked up for the film. There is also a ‘making-of,’ which is fine, but covers a lot of ground already established in the audio commentary. Finally the DVD finishes with a number of TV spots and trailers.

Bronson may be one of the most controversial British films of the year, but thankfully it’s also one of the best. Brutal, fascinating and humorous, Bronson is a genuine surprise that really is mandatory viewing.