No this isn’t Spielberg’s long awaited film in the Jurassic Park series, in fact there isn’t a dinosaur to be seen. This is in fact a beautifully written and brilliantly acted, confronting film from the U.K. that deserves to pick up a number of awards along the way.
Written and directed by Paddy Considine (Dog Althogther), whom most would know as an actor who has appeared in films such The Bourne Ultimatum and Submarine, Tyrannosaur follows Joseph (Peter Mullan – War Horse, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part 1) a vile man who succumbs to his anger in violent outbursts. On a chance meeting with Hannah (Olivia Colman – The Iron Lady, See Me) the two begin a strange friendship. Hannah prays for Joseph, Joseph lashes out about her belief her God, but the one thing that Hannah does find is solace away from her aggressive husband, James (Eddie Marsan – Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows, War Horse).
Tyrannosaur isn’t a film for everyone as Considine does not hold back. The audience is greeted with an opening that depicts Joseph lashing out and giving his beloved dog enough internal injuries to ensue it won’t live… that is just a taste of what is to come. Bashings, rape and more dog killing is to come yet this is a fine enough film to be a ‘must see’.
Considine’s script is intriguing, characters like Joseph and few and far between on the screen and you really want to know what makes him tick. The same can be said for James, the irony is that James makes Joseph look like a nice guy.
Aside from the writing what else makes this a ‘must see’ is some of the best acting performances you are ever likely to see. Mullan deserves and Oscar for his work while Oliva Colman shows there is more to her than the comedic roles we have come to know her for. Last but not least Marsan puts in an eerie performance that will be long remembered by anyone that sees the film.
Tyrannosaur won’t sit comfortably with everyone but it is one of the best films that you are likely to see in 2012, and if you want to know why it has the name of a dinosaur you’ll have to watch it and find out… because that is just one of the mysteries that it reveals. A classic piece of modern cinema!
Year: 2012
Director: Paddy Considine
Stars: Peter Mullan, Olivia Colman, Eddie Marsan
Classification: MA15+
Runtime: 91 mins
Rating: 