This opening scene has been released to quell chat about its on-paper similarities to Mad Max. Post-apocalyptic outback Australia has more than its two famous stories - Mad Max (1979) and On the Beach (1959). It also has David Michôd's story. Michôd wrote and helmed 2010's nerve-jangling Animal Kingdom and these first few minutes recall the brutal nature of Animal Kingdom.
As a fan of Australian film, one of the elements I already respond to quite strongly are the featured non-white actors. Cinema in Australia tends to be white-washed so even though the main cast is white, this film at least tries to represent a varied population of Australia. These released minutes want us to look past a grizzled Guy Pearce's Steve Irwin-park ranger outfit and and join his character, Eric's dusty world. Another conversation should raise the issue of whether post-apocalyptic films be allowed to name characters Eric.
Basically, it shows some bad blokes stealing a car because they crashed their own car. The owner of the stolen car chases after them in their own crashed car. How incompetent are these blokes that they didn't just drive their own car away? There are no scenes of the brother left behind, arguably the most recognisable face, Robert Pattinson, Rey, which tightens the tension more. You don't have to sit pondering if Pattinson can act or not.
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
This piece is going to need to be brutal to survive. If you're going to quote Yeats in the UK trailer: get it right. No hysterics or half-assed theatrics. The Rover, though a strong concept, this screen time doesn't do enough on it's own to convince me. Mr Michôd, please, I want to be convinced
The Rover is out now
As a fan of Australian film, one of the elements I already respond to quite strongly are the featured non-white actors. Cinema in Australia tends to be white-washed so even though the main cast is white, this film at least tries to represent a varied population of Australia. These released minutes want us to look past a grizzled Guy Pearce's Steve Irwin-park ranger outfit and and join his character, Eric's dusty world. Another conversation should raise the issue of whether post-apocalyptic films be allowed to name characters Eric.
Basically, it shows some bad blokes stealing a car because they crashed their own car. The owner of the stolen car chases after them in their own crashed car. How incompetent are these blokes that they didn't just drive their own car away? There are no scenes of the brother left behind, arguably the most recognisable face, Robert Pattinson, Rey, which tightens the tension more. You don't have to sit pondering if Pattinson can act or not.
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
This piece is going to need to be brutal to survive. If you're going to quote Yeats in the UK trailer: get it right. No hysterics or half-assed theatrics. The Rover, though a strong concept, this screen time doesn't do enough on it's own to convince me. Mr Michôd, please, I want to be convinced
The Rover is out now
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