224) Son of a Gun (2014)
Locked up for a minor crime, 19 year old JR quickly learns the harsh realities of prison life. Protection, if you can get it, is paramount. JR soon finds himself under the watchful eye of Australia’s most notorious criminal, Brendan Lynch. But protection comes at a price. Lynch and his crew have plans for their young protegee. Upon release, JR must help secure Lynch’s freedom, staging a daring prison break. As a reward, he’s invited to join the crew as they plan a gold heist that promises to deliver millions. However, as things start to go wrong, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. JR finds himself unsure of whom he can trust and on a collision course with his former mentor.
7/10 – Some IDMB plot synopses are so ridiculously long, that it essentially gives away the entire film. I’d be tempted to condense it to “young man goes into prison, befriends Ewan McGregor and ends up helping him out in exchange for not being violated in the bum”.
Again, as I’m very behind on these I’ll keep this brief. I realised I had a free day at the London Film Festival and that there were a few tickets left for this Australian Crime/Heist/Action/Thriller with Ewan in it. I checked to see if he was going to bother doing an Australian accent, it turns out he wasn’t, and I was sold on the idea.
It’s not that elaborate, it’s not too flashy, it think’s it’s cleverer than it is but the most important thing is, it is extremely good fun to watch. Ewan adds a depth to your standard bad guy central character that you don’t normally get to see in these types of films, it makes you take it seriously. Similarly, with the reduced budget and restraints on the movie, the stunts and chases feel raw and energised rather than over-produced and laughable.
Good casting, average script, predictable story-line, funny moments – It was perfect Friday night viewing.
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