Nuttah! (Bronson (DVD))

Member Name: adambrown400

Product:	Bronson (DVD)
Date:	03/10/09 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great central performance

Disadvantages: strange mix of humour

Charlie Bronson, born into this world as Michael Peterson to a respected middle class family is Britain's most notorious prisoner. Peterson is addicted to life inside, having only ever stolen a few pounds. He loves the fame and notoriety that comes with decking every prison officer that comes knocking on his cell door.

The film follows Bronson's life inside and his brief spell as a free man. The authorities don't know quite what to do with him, even sending him to the nuthouse for a brief spell. He lives for prison, comparing his life inside to that of a hotel room. The film is narrated and told by Bronson as if her were on stage to a large crowd. The film is also spread across a number of years with Bronson ageing throughout.

Bronson was a very good film made on quite a small budget. Its mix of theatrical viewpoints and brutal violence was clever and ever so British. The film harks back to 70's Brit flicks like McVicar, Scum and The Long Good Friday in style and is all the better for it. I really enjoyed the film and would certainly watch it again.

Unbelievably according to Wikipedia the film only had a budget of £150,000 which is amazing really as it looks very good and never appearing cheap. Nicolas Winding Refn has directed a very good film full of clever touches and a real professional sheen.

However, it really is Tom Hardy's film. His performance as Bronson is absolutely superb. Hardy actually went and talked to the man himself before taking on this very difficult role. He has just got the right balance between tender and thoughtful and to the far extremes of physical violence. Apparently for the film, he put on three stone of muscle and did 2,500 press-ups a day for five weeks. Now that's commitment!

I wouldn't watch Bronson if you are squeamish and don't like to see full frontal male nudity (Hardy frequently displays his male member). It's a very violent film indeed, but I tghought it was both entertaining and powerful. Highly recommended.

Summary: A great Brit flick