Bronson (2008)

Crime, Biography, Action

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Writers: Brock Norman Brock, Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Luing Andrews, Katy Barker

"The Man. The Myth. The Celebrity."

In this gem directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Only God Forgives, Valhalla Rising), Tom Hardy plays notorious prisoner Michael Gordon Peterson (best known for his alter-ego Charles Bronson), who has made a name for himself as the "most violent prisoner in Britain" and spent almost his entire adult life in solitary confinement.

The film is only loosely based on the notorious criminal's life but it's still totally worth it for Tom Hardy, who gives a ground-breaking and startling performance as the disturbed sociopath. His use of method acting transformed him in the real Bronson for the role, both physically (he gained thirty-five pounds in five weeks) and mentally.

Part dark comedy, part drama, Nicolas Winding Refn's Bronson is a thrilling movie with unsettling themes and content, being very similar in style to Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, with no shortage of ultra violence and classical/electrical music.

Plot summary from IMDb: In 1974, a hot-headed 19 year old named Michael Peterson decided he wanted to make a name for himself and so, with a homemade sawn-off shotgun and a head full of dreams he attempted to rob a post office. Swiftly apprehended and originally sentenced to 7 years in jail, Peterson has subsequently been behind bars for 34 years, 30 of which have been spent in solitary confinement. During that time, Michael Petersen, the boy, faded away and 'Charles Bronson,' his superstar alter ego, took center stage. Inside the mind of Bronson - a scathing indictment of celebrity culture.

Awards: 3 wins & 5 nominations.
Runtime: 92 min
R