Bronson

A Film Review By: David Ramirez

"Bronson"

✭✭✭✭ out of ✭✭✭✭

BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST VIOLENT PRISONERS.

Charlie Bronson (born Michael Petersen) has the distinction of being Britain's most notorious criminal. Despite never having killed anyone, and mostly being a petty thief, at the age of 56 he has spent 34 years in prison - with 30 in solitary confinement. He has also won awards for his art and poetry. He has one ambition: “All my life I've wanted to be famous.” And so he is.

Tom Hardy is the lead as Michael Peterson, sporting a shaved head and a John L. Sullivan handlebar mustache. Hardy's performance, shifts between a subtle insane calmness to a manic intensity. Pulling off these two things is something many actors have tried and failed miserably, but Hardy succeeds entirely. This of course is because of his talent: being both versatile and daring. When you are playing in a film as stylized as this one, you need a lead actor who can keep the audience engaged. Again, Hardy proves triumphant.

Not only does Tom Hardy give a great performance, but the story is told in a very interesting way, the filmmaker uses an on and off linear narrative: something that isn't seen in many mainstreem modern films. The film(s) style is something very reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange, in the way it intercuts and is told by the lead character. Music plays another large part and is much more than backdrop: it is truly part of the story.

I am encouraging you to watch this film. You will be introduced to one of creations most fascinating people. Enjoy the superb cinematography of this film. Marvel at the character which Tom Hardy has so electrically embodied. There is little if any fault I can find with this film. I was mesmerized, not only by the stunning performance by Tom, by the mastery of the movie's execution, but mainly by its' subject, a man out of time, out of place, but not out of his mind.