Life + Arts Movies

Futuristic western The Rover grips audience with minimalistic narrative

The_Rover-2013

“The Rover” is now playing in select theaters.  |  Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fade in to the desolate Australian outback with minimal sound and wind-swept landscapes — civilization has collapsed, society is almost non-existent, and the rule of law is a thing of the past. The new film “The Rover” from writer and director David Michôd (who previously made 2010’s “Animal Kingdom”) throws its audience into a world in the near future following drifter Eric (Guy Pearce) as he tracks down his only possession that was taken from him. After a gang steals his car and leaves behind a wounded comrade (Robert Pattinson), they begin their journey in tracking them down.

What follows is quite possibly the best neo-western type film of its kind, bringing to mind Clint Eastwood’s “Man with No Name” character as he rides across barren, lawless landscapes. Only with this film, it takes place 10 years after a global economic collapse and has left a society of nihilistic brutes. “The Road” comes to mind when viewing this film, but it isn’t nearly as dark – Pattinson’s character does provide some comedic relief.

With all of the guff over Pattinson’s acting abilities in mind, there is not much evidence of a poor performance for him in this film. It is admirable that he took a quality script with a budget of just more than $12 million that will probably be understated in the end. Guy Pearce is fantastic as always, along with every one else involved — Scoot McNairy plays the leader of the gang with a sense of nervous brutality.

“The Rover” is not a “feel-good movie,” by far. But nevertheless it is one that is worth seeing, being a quality film that leaves an impression on its audience. The film gets a tenacious grip on your attention with the world it inhabits and the subtle score, lonesome quiet, and loud, abrupt gunshots. The slow narrative takes its time with the telling of its story, but has enough texture and action to make it a worthwhile view.

“The Rover” is now playing in select theaters.

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