Son Of A Gun

Son of a Gun minor (6)

SON OF A GUN is a tense heist thriller, prison drama, love story, double crossing, crime gang, character driven movie.

What sets this movie apart from the usual explosive action films are the well drawn, engaging characters. It is not so much a good versus evil film as a straight out baddies film.

The main characters are all criminals although we do sympathise with some of them, mainly those on the side of Brendan Lynch, menacingly played by the wonderful Ewan McGregor.

The film opens with 19-year-old JR (Brenton Thwaites) being locked up for an unspecified crime. His cellmate is being victimised and brutalised by a gang of prison bullies. JR goes to intervene but is warned off by Brendan Lynch, who later intervenes when JR is about to be attacked. JR is now in debt to Lynch and as this debt is called in the crimes, adventures and double crossing escalates.

JR is smitten by a very attractive Tasha (Alicia Vikander, last seen as Kitty in Anna Karenina) who works for Lynch’s nasty criminal associate Sam (Jacek Koman). This complicates the crimes and planning but gives McGregor’s character an opportunity to explain to his young protégé, JR, his unreconstructed views of females and the criminal world. It is in these areas that the film has balance and nuance, especially as the relationships change and develop.

The action is exciting and well done but it is in the transformations of the protagonists that the real interest lies. McGregor especially displays charm and complexity. At times he is ruthless and malevolent but also shows nobility and an unexpected level of honour.

First time writer and director Julius Avery is to be congratulated on his excellent, complex and interesting action film.

There is a strong supporting cast including Matt Nable, Nash Edgerton, Eddie Baroo, Tom Budge, and a very funny Damon Herriman.

SON OF A GUN is set to be released in Australia 16th October. It will also be showing at this year’s BFI London Film Festival.