Son of A Gun (2015)
Certified: 15
Duration: 109 minutes
Directed by: Julius Avery
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Brenton Thwaites, Alicia Vikander, Jacek Koman, Matt Nable, Tom Budge, Nash Edgerton
KRS Releasing Ltd
Son of A Gun is an Australian thriller that explodes on screen and leaves a notable mark with its off-the-wall display of mix of confidence and grittiness. This is a film that is a throwback to the thrillers that characterised the late 1960s and early ‘70s, showing the same kind of stylish, raw elements that made up such movies as The Getaway, Bullitt and The French Connection.
Director Jules Avery does well to give Ewan McGregor the chance to show off his acting chops by delivering a performance that is relatively different from anything he has recently brought to the screen.
The film brings together a mix of criminal cool, love and nervous pressure to give the film and its characters a unique and at times starched feel. It’s as if the characters are on a run for their lives, trying to find hope in every second that passes.
Son of A Gun’s plot is kept simple and to the point. JR (Brenton Thwaites) is 19 years old and already a criminal and is just entering prison. JR takes things carefully: evaluating what he is now surrounded with, he realises the danger that he is in, the jungle that is prison. He knows Brendan (Ewan McGregor), a veteran of the gangster scene who ends up befriending him.
The result is that six months after JR is released from lock-up, he has a whole criminal life and career waiting for him. This includes getting in on helping Brendan make his escape and even joining the gang of Sam (Jacek Koman), a mob boss. JR ends up falling in love with Tasha (Alicia Vikander) and he dreams of making it out of this life with Tasha in tow and loads of gold loot that is there for the taking. However, not everything will quite go his way.
Son of A Gun is populated by likable characters, even though these are criminals. Place these in the Australian setting and the film develops an identity of its own.
This different viewpoint along with its own volatile setting and raw emotions makes for a very different movie, one that wears its hunger on its sleeve.
The story structure has a familiarity to it that shows that this is a movie that is acknowledging its sources. Yet at its core, the film comes complete with its take on the balances in life and of power that makes for edgy viewing.
There is a sense of constant tightrope walking and balance that makes this movie quite a heady mix of power and attraction.
On top of everything, Son of A Gun excels due to its collective cast which give life to the characters and establish motive, presence and all-round emotional tug of war. Brenton Thwaite and Alicia Vikander have a relationship that is gritty and rough around the edges.
Ewan McGregor is wild and weary, walking around so tight as if, at any excuse, he can explode or implode. At times this is a film of clear cops and robbers, but as the film proceeds it ends up evolving into a whole different beast, where crime is not just a lifestyle but a matter of life over death.