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★★★★★
24 November 2016
A movie review of TRESPASS AGAINST US. |
“This is your fault, you know that?” Kelly Cutler (Lyndsey Marshal)
Originality and unpredictability, the holy grails of art and entertainment, surely? No effortless task, of course, for creatives to achieve. Though, they can help themselves, as the filmmaking team have done here, by showing us segments of the population little portrayed on the big screen. The European traveller communities are ignored by mainstream cinema. When you have Brad Pitt’s Mickey O’Neill, as a rock-hard boxer, as the only person springing to mind, you have to say the door is wide open. (One is not thinking of social realist works, such as AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF AN IRON PICKER or historical pics, e.g. AFERIM!.)
Originality and unpredictability, the holy grails of art and entertainment, surely? No effortless task, of course, for creatives to achieve. Though, they can help themselves, as the filmmaking team have done here, by showing us segments of the population little portrayed on the big screen. The European traveller communities are ignored by mainstream cinema. When you have Brad Pitt’s Mickey O’Neill, as a rock-hard boxer, as the only person springing to mind, you have to say the door is wide open. (One is not thinking of social realist works, such as AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF AN IRON PICKER or historical pics, e.g. AFERIM!.)
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From the exhilarating, unusual opening – a car chasing a rabbit – to the abrupt, not-unsatisfying ending, TRESPASS AGAINST US grips. At times it is hard to believe this is a feature directorial debut, there is so much energy, confidence and chutzpah – reflecting the lead character. Chad Cutler (Michael Fassbender) is the prodigal son of “King” Colby Cutler (Brendan Gleeson). The latter strikes fear into the affluent locals of the British countryside. The area’s major criminal enterprises clearly stem from him, but the police seem unable to make charges stick. P.C. Lovage (Rory Kinnear) is the antagonist. He and the Cutlers are at perpetual loggerheads. Audience sympathy see-saws throughout the runtime.
Gleeson is one of the most versatile character actors working, and flexes his deft performance skills here. King Colby is both funny and intimidating. “Hell hath no fury like a locked up super-goat,” he hilariously opines. Father figure to his community, and self-appointed preacher, he twists religious doctrine to suit his schemes. Even someone as badass as Chad is fearful around him. The catalyst for the plot is Colby increasing his influence over Chad’s young son Tyson (Georgie Smith). Chad wants to end the family rot, and take Tyson, wife Kelly and daughter Mini (Kacie Anderson) to a more anodyne, stable existence.
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Like Michael Corleone, the life keeps pulling Chad back in. Fathers and sons is the clear theme. Brother Brian is in prison, bringing home Chad’s precarious liberty. The family protest, at Brian’s incarceration, comes in the form of police taunting – you’ll be glad of the excuse for another brill car chase. TREPASS AGAINST US probably has a fraction of the budget, yet puts the last FAST & FURIOUS to shame. Palpitating soundtrack courtesy of Tom Rowlands from The Chemical Brothers adds to the heart pounding atmosphere.
Without characters to invest, the pulse does not of course thump. The dialogue here is electric, giving a feel for the people and culture. Full of slang, on the surface the conversations may at fist seem impenetrable, but we soon get the hang of it. You will be pleased with yourself for keeping up. The Duolingo learning language app is not close to being as fun as this.
Fassbender is an actor to be celebrated. Rather than opting for banallead roles, he continually picks the compelling savant, from FRANK and SHAME to SLOW WEST and MACBETH. Bravo! His Chad is a resourceful guy, e.g. hiding under a cow from a helicopter searching for his heat signature. One kept wondering what Chad would achieve if he channelled such ingenuity. Not some Robin Hood figure, we are reminded he is not a nice criminal to simplistically root for; taking out his frustration on the simple-minded Gordon Bennett (Sean Harris) – must be a nickname?! – with physical violence, Chad is no angel despite his intentions.
Based on a true story, the real Chad introduced the screening I attended, TREPASS AGAINST US is a mesmerising mix of tones. And arguably very British, from characters ram-raiding to watching ANTIQUES ROADSHOW.
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