LAWLESS

Leonardo Da Vinci once said “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” and that’s what makes this story appealing. Based on a true story the plot simply is as follows; when a psychotic lawman targets the operations of a band of bootlegging brothers, all hell brakes loose in a little town in Virginia during the Depression. The dialogue is energizing; it’s great to hear men talk like masculine men, succinct and to-the-point. Tom Hardy exercises his acting muscles once again and does a subtle yet brilliant job. Shia LaBeouf’s effort is commendable and it’s obvious that he wants to distance himself from his coked-up, “Optimus!!!” shouting role in TRANSFORMERS. But the stand-out performance belongs to Guy Pearce; his crooked cop is riveting and ridiculous at the same time. The dusty brown tones in the cinematography really capture 1930’s Depression-era America. Director John Hillcoat’s past credits include THE ROAD and THE PROPOSITION, both atmospheric period pieces similar to this film. It’s hard to find too many faults in the direction except that it focuses way too much on LaBeouf’s character, it lacks a distinctive score and the climax could have been more explosive. Regardless of my nitpicking, this movie is entertaining and worth the watch.

Rating: 6/10

S. V. Fernando