An absolutely stunning directorial debut from writer-director Paddy Considine, it's nevertheless worth mentioning that Tyrannosaur is not a movie for the faint of heart or stomach. The film begins with a dog being kicked to death, features a thoroughly unpleasant rape sequence (as if it could be anything but), and more dog mutilation later on. Considine demonstrates considerable faith in audiences for expecting them to handle a protagonist as thoroughly unpleasant as alcoholic widower Joseph (Peter Mullan), yet through his interactions with battered wife Hannah (Olivia Colman), a measure of humanity emerges. Still, there are no easy solutions, and even as the characters show growth, there's nothing overly sentimental or melodramatic here. Mullan, Colman and Eddie Marsan (who plays Hannah's abusive husband James) all give terrifically good performances in an extremely challenging movie which should nevertheless provide an intense, unexpected surprise for those prepared to follow Considine down this very dark rabbit hole.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
