"The Rover"

Title: The Rover
Director: David Michôd
Writer: David Michôd, Joel Edgerton
Category: Crime, Drama
Duration: 103 min.
Rate: 

I saw this movie when it came out here in the UK, but I also got the chance to follow part of the world promo tour, which involved the presentation and press conference at the Festival de Cannes, and also part of the promo tour both in America, Australia and UK.

Even though during all of this, I hadn't watched the movie, Everyone was kind enough not to spoil the end of it for me.

The plot seems simple enough. In a not so far future in Australia after a great world economic collapse, a man, portrayed by the talented Guy Pearce, sees his car, and only possession stole from him by a group of desperate thieves.

Filled with rage and with the need to get back his car, the movie follows Eric through his desperate quest to get it back.

However, along his journey, he crosses path with Rey, left for dead by his brother who is one of the car thieves. He decides that this battered and mistreated guy will be is bargaining chip to get back his property.

While this story seems easy to understand at first, the real meaning behind all the characters, and in particular Rey and Eric, is deeply hidden between the lines.

This is not just a story about getting back a car. This is a story of loneliness, alienation and feeling like there is nothing left to lose, so much so that putting yourself in danger does not matter anymore. Guy Pearce is the protagonist. His talent held the whole movie on its shoulder. Through his eyes and facial expression he conveyed Eric's coldness and stillness. Throughout the movie we only get glimpses of his anguish and loneliness, otherwise masked by a perpetual need to reach his goal and get back to his solitary life. In fact, it is not by chance that the movie's background is an arid, desolated, barren and unpopulated desert in which any shred of humanity is lost. It's only function is to represent completely and visually the isolation that all the characters are living through.

However, the audience receives a small hope of salvation by witnessing the camaraderie and brotherly relationship that starts to grow between Eric and Rey, they both give away something of themselves to the other. On this journey, Rey starts to discover his own independence and decision making abilities, he is able to think for himself for the first time and not being constantly mistreated and called retarded. Eric instead, thanks to Rey's presence, learns to open up and to value human relationships, even in a world in which it is impossible to form a bond that would last.

In "The Rover", Pattinson gave it all. His performance was not overshadowed by Guy's talent. Both actors complimented and balanced each other.  In my opinion, this was Pattinson's best performance so far, He showed us through his dedication, how much he wanted this project and how much he understood his character. And the collaboration with Guy Pearce was spectacular.

Finally, this movie is not simply a story about chasing a car, it's a tale that wants to teach us how it's important to never stop chasing the last piece of humanity left in your body. A movie about not losing hope and always believing that we are not completely alone in this world.

Till next time,

Fred.

Here's the trailer: