Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer star in this week's major cinema release, "The Death Of Robin Hood," an ultra-violent film that reimagines the legendary English outlaw as a murderous monster.
The 122-minute feature, which carries a 15 rating, abandons the traditional heroic myth of Robin Hood as a champion of the meek. Audiences expecting a wistful look at ageing, similar to the tender 1970s classic "Robin And Marian" starring Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn, will instead face an onslaught that has been likened to "The Sherwood Chainsaw Massacre," had chainsaws been invented in the year 1247.
Jackman, the Australian actor widely known for playing Wolverine in the X-Men film series, portrays a grizzled, battle-scarred Robin. Sporting matted furs and a massive, Old Testament-style beard that former Manchester United captain Roy Keane might envy, Jackman's outlaw slogs his way through a muddy, blood-soaked, and Pythonesque version of Britain.
This version of the character is a self-declared "monster" who admits he "robbed and killed for the joy of it," and he spends the film permanently on the run from the vengeful descendants of his many victims.
The film energetically delivers on its violent premise. For a good half of the movie, viewers may find themselves watching through their fingers as Robin and his right-hand man Little John butcher their way through entire families of men, women, and children for no discernible reason. Little John is played by Bill Skarsgard, who famously portrayed Pennywise the clown in the horror film "It," and he brings a distinctly un-Merrie take to the role.
The lack of clear motivation for the slaughter may be partly due to the film's mumbled dialogue. Reviewers have noted that audiences will be crying out for subtitles, not least to decipher Jackman's interesting attempt at a Nottingham accent.
Eventually, a wounded Robin is forced to pause the killing and seek healing at an idyllic island priory. The priory is run by a kindly prioress, played by Comer, who rose to international fame in the acclaimed television series "Killing Eve."
At the priory, Robin gruffly cares for Little John's daughter, played by Faith Delaney, and befriends a leper portrayed by Murray Bartlett. Bartlett's character speaks in aphorisms reminiscent of "The Little Book Of Zen," telling Robin that it is "never too late to find peace." Whether audiences will have the patience to hang on until he does is another matter.
Both Jackman and Comer are marvellous talents, but the film leaves them scrabbling for scraps. The project is written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, who previously garnered acclaim for the Nicolas Cage drama "Pig." Here, despite Jackman digging deep into the role, the real Robin is never found beneath the hood, which is a significant failure for a punishing two-hour cinematic experience. The film earns a two-star rating, with a final verdict that the audience was "robbed."
Willem Dafoe's performance in Late Fame
"Late Fame," a 96-minute release also rated 15, offers a warmer and more winning take on male legend-making. The comedy-drama earns three stars for its witty look at today's shallow yearning for authenticity.
Willem Dafoe, the veteran character actor whose extensive credits span from "Platoon" to "Spider-Man," is pitch-perfect in the lead role. He plays Ed Saxberger, a forgotten New York poet from the 1970s who is now measuring out his twilight years working in a postal sorting office.
His quiet life is upended when he is taken up by an adoring coterie of polo-neck-sporting bright young things. The group is anchored by an older, Sally Bowles-style muse who is an actress-turned-cabaret singer, played by Greta Lee.
"There's nothing more exciting than a rediscovered male genius," Lee's flirtatious character tells Saxberger, establishing herself as the group's only actual professional.
The curious little film asks what it really means to be an artist, and who gets to be one. While the movie may not add up to a massive statement and leaves several loose threads dangling, Dafoe and Lee are delectable on screen. The film is a success that warrants a repeat viewing.
Hollywood satire in Gail Daughtry And The Celebrity Sex Pass
The final major release of the week is "Gail Daughtry And The Celebrity Sex Pass," a 94-minute feature with a 15 rating. The film is described as a silly "Marmite" sex comedy, meaning audiences will likely either adore it or find themselves allergic to its charms, earning it a two-star rating.
Zoey Deutch, who recently starred in "Nouvelle Vague," plays the excruciatingly perky Gail. Gail is a naive hairdresser from Kansas whose life is derailed when her fiancé and childhood sweetheart decides to cash in his celebrity "sex pass" option, invoking the idea that someone in a committed relationship is supposedly allowed to sleep with one famous person.
While the fiancé's choice of celebrity is kept hidden as an actually quite funny surprise in the film, his betrayal sends Gail on a quirky revenge mission to Tinseltown. Her goal is to bed her own celebrity crush: American actor Jon Hamm, best known for the drama "Mad Men."
However, it is Hamm's former "Mad Men" co-star John Slattery who ends up stealing the show. Slattery gamely sends himself up in the film, providing a major comedic highlight.
The movie functions as a tiresomely wacky spin on "The Wizard Of Oz" and comes sprinkled with starry cameos. It possesses a goofball enthusiasm reminiscent of the "Bill & Ted" comedies, which gradually wears down the viewer's resistance in a good way. Because once audiences start to giggle, despite themselves in this case, the film has won them over.
All three films are in cinemas now.
