TYRANNOSAUR is a powerful and affecting drama from feature writer / director Paddy Considine. It follows the story of two lonely, damaged people brought together by circumstance.
When was the last time you were truly challenged by a movie?
If you're anything like me, you've probably got into some lazy habits when it comes to the films you choose to watch. Hollywood actioners or superhero adventures, perhaps, or maybe the kind of dumb-but-fun adult comedies that are enjoying such a resurgence at the moment. Maybe sci-fi's your thing, or maybe animation. But regardless of exactly what your regular diet consists of, you owe it to yourself to take a break from these comfortable and familiar pursuits and check out one of the most arresting, unpredictable, well-acted and uncompromising films I've seen in many years: Paddy Considine's Tyrannosaur.
Tyrannosaur begins by introducing you to its two central characters: Joseph, played by Peter Mullan (of such modern classics as Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, and Children of Men), and Hannah, portrayed by Olivia Colman (probably best known as Sophie from Channel 4's "Peep Show"). Immediately, working-class hardman Joseph is cast in an unremittingly nasty and apparently irredeemable light. He has a short temper, a tendency towards aggressive and violent outbursts - including killing a harmless domestic animal in one of the film's earliest scenes - and unpleasant racist leanings. Hannah, meanwhile, is a well-to-do Christian charity-shop worker who operates in one of the poorer parts of an undisclosed Northern town. The two meet one day when Joseph takes refuge in Hannah's shop to escape a beating from some locals that he's recently antagonised.
So far, so predictable, right?
However, those expecting a simple story of redemption and rehabilitation will find themselves confounded by the many twists and turns that Considine's debut feature takes. It quickly becomes apparent that Joseph isn't the only character with deep-rooted problems, as Hannah's apparently cosy middle-class existence conceals some very dark secrets involving her marriage. As the relationship between Hannah and Joseph develops, we begin to realise that she needs him as much as he needs her, and it's fascinating to watch the balance of power in the relationship change as the compelling narrative of the two characters' increasingly-intertwined lives plays out.
I'm keeping things deliberately vague here, because much of the power of Tyrannosaur is contained within its well-timed and subtle shocks. The story's unpredictable path forces you to address your own preconceptions that you've formed about these characters (and often revise them completely), without any of the plot twists ever feeling contrived or unlikely. And Considine isn't afraid to add some challenging layers of depth and complexity to his characters, either: for example, one minor supporting player who we see advocating a racist attack early on in the film is later rewarded with a quiet moment of grace and dignity during a friend's funeral; whilst another character who initially seems weak and vulnerable proves to be the most violent and dangerous in the movie. It makes you realise just how rare it is to see genuinely three-dimensional characters on the screen, with Tyrannosaur leaving the leads of most other movies looking flat and archetypal.
In amongst the pitch-pefect human drama, Considine reveals an ability to handle more complex storytelling ideas, too: a good example is the canny metaphor of Joseph's gradual destruction of his garden shed, which occurs at the same time as he's breaking down the boundaries between himself and Hannah. There's also a pleasing symmetry between one of the film's final acts of violence and one of its earliest, reframing an apparently irredeemable action as an act of genuine compassion and humanity, despite its violence.
Hopefully this review has given you a flavour of Tyrannosaur without giving too much away about it. Much of the film's appeal would be destroyed if I revealed even the bare bones of its plot, let alone hinted at the nature of its conclusion. But what I can say is that it's an incredibly original, memorable and thought-provoking experience that's packed with thoroughly believable performances (especially from the two leads) and shot with the confidence of an experienced director rather than a rookie first-timer. Whilst it isn't a film that tries to push a particular message on its viewers, or present a certain political point of view, it's still a movie that contains some incredibly powerful ideas that will stay with you long after you've popped the DVD out of its slot.
We will publish your review of Tyrannosaur on DVD within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. A powerful and affecting award-winning drama from feature writer / director Paddy Considine (Dead Man's Shoes), TYRANNOSAUR follows the story of two lonely, damaged people brought together by circumstance. Joseph (Peter Mullan) is an unemployed widower, drinker, and a man crippled by his own volatile temperament and furious anger. Hannah (Olivia Colman) is a Christian worker at a charity shop, a respectable woman who appears wholesome and happy. When the pair are brought together, Hannah appears as Joseph's potential saviour, someone who can temper his fury and offer him warmth, kindness and acceptance. As their story develops Hannah's own secrets are revealed - her relationship with husband James (Eddie Marsan) is violent and abusive - and as events spiral out of control, Joseph becomes her source of succour and comfort. Special Features Audio Commentary with Director Paddy Considine Dog Altogether Short Deleted Scenes Stills Gallery Trailer Booklet Actors Olivia Colman, Peter Mullan, Eddie Marsan, Ned Dennehy, Sally Carman, Robin Butler, Paul Conway & Lee Rufford Director Paddy Considine Certificate 18 years and over Year 2011 Languages English Region Region 2 - Will only play on European Region 2 or multi-region DVD players.
Tense drama following the relationship between a self-destructive, alcoholic widower and a Christian charity shop worker. Joseph (Peter Mullan) is an aggressive and self-destructive loner who suffers from extreme mood swings and an inability to keep his temper in check. One such lack of control forces him to flee into a charity shop to hide from three youths. Here he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Hannah (Olivia Colman), a volunteer who attempts to calm Joseph and offer him a Christian way out of his troubles. Despite their differences, a relationship develops between the two. However, will the other man in Hannah's life, her husband, James (Eddie Marsan), have something to say about the burgeoning friendship?
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
