Having been a huge fan of Shane Meadows' gritty Dead Man's Shoes, I developed a keen interest in Paddy Considine, who plays Richard therein.
I had heard a bit of hype about this relatively unknown project that was Tyrannosaur, and after discovering that Considine was the director, I knew it had to be something special.
It is.
Adapted from his previous film short Dog Altogether, we follow the life of Joseph in a rundown English town. Joseph is a broken man, a loose-cannon who desperately needs guidance and help before he ends up killing himself. Along the way, he encounters Hannah (Olivia Colman, Peep Show/Rev), a religious charity shop worker who offers a hand of help to him.
As the film unveils itself, the audience realises that nothing is as it seems. Joseph is a man with violent tendencies but who is looking after the wellbeing of a young neighbour boy who is treated horribly by his father. Hannah's marriage is in tatters and is constantly on the receiving end of abuse of all sorts.
Tyrannosaur is a gritty insight into what makes people tick, and how appearances can be extremely deceptive. Throughout, we are treated to two exceptional performances. Colman as the helpless wife, and Eddie Marsan as the evil and twisted husband, who smiles one minute, and performs horrific acts the next.
The final third produces one particular scene is such emotional charge and devastation that the audience can barely watch, with Colman deliverying perhaps her single most incredible performance of her career. Peter Mullan (Joseph), also involved, effectively carries the audience's reaction and disbelief, though saying anymore would spoil the film.
Tyrannosaur is one of very few British films which echoes the noise of an under-represented population. A harrowing, grim, gritty affair, this is not a film you'll want to show your wife or grandmother. However, it is one of the best films you will have seen of the last few years.
9/10
