Movie Review - Blunt Force Trauma
Blunt Force Trauma is a suspenseful ride through the thrilling underworld of illegal fast draw competitions, following our two hero's as they toe a line between the rush of living on the edge, with the danger of feeling nothing at all. It blends an awesome score, with great cinematography, and artful performances by it's cast, that makes each moment feel as gripping as the last.
I try not to go too far off the reservation that often, and like to stick with film studios, directors, and actors that I am familiar with. After all, it is enjoyable to me to watch my favorites run the gamut of their artistic talent, or in the case of a select few, to watch them nail the typecast that has followed them throughout their career. Keeping that in mind, I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to go against the trend on a film where none of actors (save Mickey Rourke), nor the director, and not even the studio were familiar to me. Something about the Netflix tile, drew me to it, and I suppose I was feeling adventuresome, so I figured that ten minutes couldn't hurt. Not all risks pay off, but in this case, it took less than five to draw me in, and hold me there throughout the length of the film, and in the end, I wished there was much more to enjoy.
It opens with our hero, played by Ryan Kwanten standing around what looks like an animal fighting ring that is a part of the illegal fast draw circuit ring somewhere in Columbia. As he sullenly prepares himself for his duel, money laid on the table, bulletproof vest tightly strapped, revolver holstered to be drawn, a consistent heavy rolling sound can be heard as the fights referee rolls a bolt back and forth building the suspense for the fight. With each duelist prepared, the referee ceases its rolling, and lifts it in hand, the suspense fully elevated, as she tosses it in the air, our hero drawing, shooting his opponent twice in the vest, without a return shot fired, and walks away victorious. The whole of his duel from start to finish, a graceful and artful portrayal of what it is to duel.
Immediately following him, our films heroine, played by Freida Pinto, steps into the ring, and like our hero, finishes her opponent, claims her winnings, and exits the ring victorious. Unlike our hero, she fights with a more aggressive and angry demeanor, akin to that of someone with something to prove. Her style compliments that of the hero's very well, as the two strike up a short conversation that highlights how their paths came to cross, and sets the stage for their journey together, as he seeks to find something, some feeling that proves to him he's alive, and she seeks to run from the feelings that make her feel dead.
As they move closer to their own decided path, one they now walk together, they begin an emotional roller-coaster where he begins to realize that his lack of feeling alive, might be something he cant fix alone, and she begins to realize that her feeling of being dead might simply be from being alone. Regardless of these self discoveries, a path has been set before them, and they will walk it to the bitter end.
As the film comes to a close, we are finally introduced to a man by the name of Zorringer, played by Mickey Rourke. Zorringer is a legend among duelists, whom our hero has been hoping to duel since the opening of the film. With a story, and cause, equally as compelling as our hero's, Zorringer longs for what none have been able to give him, yet what he is unwilling to give away, and that is a release from the long years of being the man at the end of the line, for many looking for the ultimate rush. Their duel, vests off, is a duel to the death, wonderfully elevated by the song Homesteader, one of the films several songs by the band Kid Dakota, begins and ends within the blink of an eye, both drawing, both firing, as the screen goes black, with no indication of the outcome. As the credits roll, we are treated to one closing scene, a closeup of an open birdcage swaying in the wind, with someone walking behind, out of focus in the distance.
I believe after watching the film, that everyone finds what they are looking for, and I gave it an easy 4.5 out of 5. From what I can tell I could very well be alone in my admiration of this film, with the IMDB not having good ratings for it, but my hopes are that you won't be deterred by this alone, and that my review will encourage you to check it out yourself.
Have you seen Blunt Force Trauma? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Also, two of the films accompanying songs can be heard here:
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