THERE’S something strangely uplifting about this bleak tale of alcohol and domestic abuse from first-time director Paddy Considine.
Having been a star in front of the camera in many a Shane Meadows movie, Considine has turned his hand to working behind it. And he’s created a film that paints a very real picture of people dealing with their own demons.
Joseph (Peter Mullen) is man filled with rage. It’s fuelled by his reliance on alcohol. He reacts to any stressful situation by lashing out – as witnessed with a shocking attack on his own dog. Given this is how it all kicks off (no pun intended), it’s apparent Considine is going for the gritty, realism of the dramas he’s been part of in the past.
A chance meeting with Hannah (Olivia Colman) at the charity shop in which she works leads to an unlikely bond with what is, in truth, a stranger.
Hannah’s a timid housewife with her own secrets. Behind closed doors her ‘doting’ husband James (Eddie Marsan) takes no issue with giving her a good beating whenever takes his fancy. To counter her feelings of being a failure as a wife, Hannah regularly hits the bottle, trying to block out the bad things happening to her.
The violence comes to a head when James brutally attacks her, culminating in sexual assault.
At this point, Hannah turns to Joseph for shelter and protection. Joseph takes her in, determined to help her get through her ordeal – firstly by going back to her home and collecting her belongings and leaving her husband.
As they begin to form a closer relationship, Joseph begins to back off, seemingly apprehensive about this burgeoning friendship. He admits he’s only capable of looking after himself and urges Hannah to seek help in her recovery from what she’s been through.
As the layers of each character peel away, it climaxes with a shock revelation that has repercussions for everyone involved.
Considine displays a confidence and flair for direction that will excite film lovers ahead of any future projects. The casting choices for the lead roles are inspired with Mullen outstanding as Joseph.
He plays a man living with the guilt of past indiscretions and hoping to atone for this mistakes perfectly. When Hannah comes into his life, he sees her as the perfect opportunity to make amends. However, he doesn’t expect to develop any feelings for her. The sadness in his eyes when revealing all about his wife is heartbreaking, making his plight all the more believable.
Colman is a revelation as Hannah. How she hasn’t received any awards recognition from the ‘big two’ is quite remarkable. Her portrayal of a broken woman who lives with the naive hope that her life will somehow change with no effort from herself or husband is nothing short of genius. When James tells her he’ll change (after battering her), she sadly thinks he will.
However, as is almost always the case in real life, that change never transpires.
She sees a fellow lost-soul in the shape of Joseph and hopes he can help bring her out the other side unscathed.
Tyrannosaur is full of depressingly real and uncomfortable scenes, outstanding performances and, surprisingly, one of the most heart-warming sequences seen in cinema.
It comes during the wake of one of Joseph’s friends. As family and mates gather, they drink, sing and dance remembering the life of their friend. It’s during the sequence involving them dancing that viewers will feel their hearts swell. It’s the first – and possibly only – time in the film we see Joseph and Hannah genuinely enjoying themselves.
The smiles on their faces show real happiness that’s in stark contrast to everything else going on in their lives. It’s a small glimmer of hope in an ocean of despair.
Tyrannosaur is a carefully crafted piece of British cinema that will stay for you with days.
EXTRAS:
Dog Altogether – the short film that was turned into the feature-length Tyrannosaur
Audio Commentary with Director Paddy Considine
Deleted Scenes
Stills Gallery
Trailer
Booklet
Tyrannosaur is released on Blu-ray and DVD on Monday, February 6.
