imperfection is perfection
Sporadic film reviews by a wanna-be filmmaker
THE ROVER [2014]
Directed by: David Michod
Written by: David Michod, Joel Edgerton
Starring: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson
A man has lost everything; one begins to wonder why he bothers to keep himself alive in this post-apocalyptic Australian outback. It is a stripped-out world that abandoned him long ago. He has no empathy for others, he cares for no one and nobody cares for him. This ruthless personality of Guy Pearce’s character (Eric) is introduced and gradually expanded upon; both through the tight, somewhat sparse but efficient script; and the many extended scenes of deafening silence with his face on screen. Most of the movie’s scenes feature Pearce and while he doesn’t say a lot, his face sure does. His behavior says even more. The silence is all the more unsettling thanks to the score, which stabs into the movie without warning. The score is much like the raw violence in that sense; it isn’t always there, but when it comes it is unexpected and brutal.
Rey, a fantastic Robert Pattinson, is an equally interesting character for a completely different set of reasons: a simpleton from the United States who has been abandoned in this dog-eat-dog world. This movie is a fascinating character study, starting when Pearce’s character comes into contact with Rey – left bloody and abandoned by his brother and their gang after a firefight. Fleeing the scene, the gang happen to pass Pearce as they roll and total their pick-up truck. They proceed to steal the only thing this man has left; and the simple question becomes: how far will he go to get his car back? The scene following this car-jacking was an extremely tense moment; and that overwhelming element of tension did not let up until the final minute.
As Eric and Rey broker a deal that can help them both, their tense relationship begins, ebbing and flowing dramatically in many unexpected ways as the movie unfolds. Many concepts are explored: what a world such as this can do to a man; his trust, faith, family, his concept of relationships, his will to live or to care about other life. The relationship that develops between Rey and Eric becomes more involved and complex after Eric takes it upon himself to bluntly explain to the simple Rey his incredibly bleak outlook on his life, and on Rey’s predicament in particular. In fact, this is more a character/relationship study than a ‘post-apocalyptic’ movie. There is a reason the ‘collapse’ is never explored, and the world that has been created seems to be on the brink of another disaster.
The movie is visually stunning. Whether it is the incredible terrain of South Australia and the Flinder’s Mountain Ranges climbing as far as the eye can see, 
or the scenes of tense, lingering silence; yet few words, both characters are saying so much. The world that is created in The Rover is beautifully realised in a brutal, visceral and violent way. The entire experience feels incredibly well-made, by international standards. Another gem from David Michod. This year has been kind to Australian film.
One short of a sixer
5/6
12 Comments on “THE ROVER [2014]”
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imperfection is perfection 
Just watched this recently! I think that it is very well done. A fascinating character study sums up my thoughts quite efficiently.It also shows off a breakout performance from Robert Patterson!
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Couldn’t agree more about Patterson. I had only seen him in Cosmopolis which I really enjoyed but I had no idea about the Twilight stuff until my Dad told me. That he comes from that sort of introduction into acting makes this performance even more impressive. I can’t wait for Maps to the Stars!!!
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I thoroughly enjoyed this one – I think this passed way too many people by. Guy Pearce is always wonderful. I especially “enjoy” him in The Proposition – wow, what a movie!
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Thanks mate! I totally agree, this is yet another Aussie gem that didn’t get enough attention. Guy Pearce is always awesome I agree, one of my fave Aussie actors, along with Joel Edgerton. As for The Proposition, YES!! Aussie director AND the screenplay was written by Nick Cave
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It was just brilliant (and also didn’t get enough attention).
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Indeed. Hillcoat eventually got attention though after he directed The Road after that, then he made Lawless, also great, and finally this year he broke through internationally with Triple 9. Looking forward to what he does next
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