Cannes 2014 Review: ‘The Rover’

Animal Kingdom set the bar high as far as debut features go. So could Aussie writer-director David Michod hit the same heights with his dystopian sophomore thriller The Rover? The answer: not quite. It’s a gripping watch that is ultimately let down by the film’s conclusion.

Set 10 years after the collapse of the western economic system, Australia’s mineral resources have brought some decidedly dangerous people to its shores and created a society in decline and dystopian wasteland. It’s there we meet Eric, a drifter with nothing left but his car. When his vehicle is stolen by a criminal gang, Eric sets off to retrieve the only possession that

Along the way Eric find some unlikely help in the form of Rey, the younger brother of one of the gang members, who was left for dead after their latest heist. The journey to reunite Eric with his car and Rey with his brother – both looking for justice – is not an easy one and they must rely on each other heavily. But with their journey nearing its end, Eric must figure our whose side Rey is really on.

I think Guy Pearce is a superb and versatile actor, and once again he’s on fine form. Pearce and Michod worked well together on Animal Kingdom and clearly bring the best out in each other. You really feel his character’s desperation. Robert Paterson is great too; completely shedding any remnants of his Twilight years.

Everything else in the film is pretty much on point with the script. The Aussie outback again provides a realistically barren, dystopian setting. My only gripe is that some of the quirky inhabitants look like they’ve wandered off the set of Mad Max 35 years ago. For me, they detracted from the tension that was being ratcheted up along the way.

However, this type of road movie always hinges on its finale and the gripping showdown provides plenty of tension – you’re never too sure how it’s all going to end. It’s unfortunate then that the ultimate pay-off left me feeling a bit flat.

The Rover is a solid second effort that, despite not quite living up to his first outing, once again shows Michod’s promise. His best work is yet to come

6.5/10

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