THE ROVER
By: John ’Doc’ Strange
Directed by: David Michod
Cast: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy
MPAA Rating: R (for language and some bloody violence)
Selig Rating: FREEBIE
Runtime: 102 Min.
One man in a post-apocalyptic Australia stops for a drink and has his car stolen by a pair of crooks running from the army. Eric (Guy Pearce) is a scary man in a land of desperate scary people. Taking the crook’s truck, he begins a chase across the desolate landscape to recover his car.
What is so important about that car? Eric’s perseverance is reminiscent of Mel Gibson’s Mad Max character. Sadly, that is where the similarities end. Eric is cold-blooded, killing with none of Max’s remorse.
Only Robert Pattinson’s Roy is worth watching. Not so much because the character is interesting as because he is so different that any character I have seen Pattison portray to this point.
The storyline is full of subplots that make no sense with characters we care nothing about. I had been so happy with the number of excellent summer film releases and wondered when I would come across the film that would be the exception to the rule. Here is that exception. This is the first film of the summer season that I have to honestly say, put it on the back burner. Watch The Rover ONLY if you have seen everything else.
Movie Site: http://therover-movie.com/#home
The Selig Rating Scale:
FULL PRICE – Excellent movie, well worth the price
MATINEE – Good movie
DOLLAR – OK movie
CABLE – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
FREEBIE – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn't paid for it.
COMMERCIAL TV – Commercials and cutting to the allotted time will not hurt this one.
FORGET IT! – Bad. If you see this one, do yourself a favor and keep it to yourself.
GET YOUR TORCHES – BAD! – Burn the script, the writer, the director and maybe even the actors!
