Clearly influenced by the best of action cinema, yet Julius Avery’s feature debut, “Son Of A Gun”, fails to hit its ambitious notes, despite a capable cast and stylish camerawork.

"Son Of A Gun" (15)
Directed by: Julius Avery.
Starring: Brenton Thwaites, Alicia Vikander, Ewan McGregor, and Nash Edgerton.
Rated: '15' for containing very strong language, strong bloody violence, sex and drug use.
Running time: 108m 49s.
Released in UK cinemas from the 30th of January, 2015. 

It's honestly quite a treat to see Ewan McGregor in a film which A) allows him to use his Scottish accent, and B) doesn't require him to wield a lightsaber, or attempt to outrun a tsunami. In fact, it's just nice to see him on screen, as it seems as though he’s been absent from cinema lately. But in Julius Avery's latest Australian thriller, regarding heists, damaged women and long prison sentences, it's clear that not even the presence of perhaps Scotland's most beloved actor is enough to guide audiences through its weak dialogue, unambitious plot and blood-drenched action sequences.

19-year-old JR (Brenton Thwaites) has just been placed into a maximum-security prison and is set to serve sixth months amongst the most dangerous of Australia's inmates. Upon his introduction into prison life, JR is mortified to find violence and rape at nearly every turn. But, amidst the chaos, JR soon finds a friend in Brendan (Ewan McGregor), a powerful inmate with plenty of friends on the inside, as well as the outside. After taking a shine to JR and helping him in some rather challenging situations, Brendan asks that he return the favour when his sentence ends. Despite his inexperience in armed crime, JR decides that aiding and abetting this deceptive and damaged criminal can only be the right decision. But, in the wake of various criminal operations, JR can't help but wonder whether it was the right decision after all, especially when the love of his life, Tasha (Alicia Vikander), arrives into the equation...

The main draw of "Son Of A Gun" is the film's cast, but apart from its star power, is it really any different to the low-budget films we so begrudgingly flick through, in the straight-to DVD section of HMV? No, it isn't. However, the film is at its most intriguing when following the story of our main character (especially within the first half-an-hour), as JR is an often silent soul who's back-story isn't revealed, adding intrigue to the proceedings, as we follow him into the shadowy underworld of organised crime. But when the film isn't focussing on JR, it becomes bogged down in clichéd material seen time and time again. Writer/director Julius Avery’s feature debut attempts to focus upon the key topics of a typical crime drama, such as the loss of innocence, but only glances at them, brushing aside the possibilities of an intriguing romance and truly great character development.

Despite his clichéd script, Avery's skill behind the camera is perhaps the most intriguing feature of the piece, particularly in certain action/chase sequences which ooze of influences from Michael Mann, and perhaps fellow Aussie David Michôd, which are most certainly welcome. The main cast are talented; McGregor himself revels in the role of a filthy criminal, who's also infrequently funny, with the humour of the piece clearly having been written for him. But here lies another problem, what is the specified tone? It begins as a ghastly thriller, (possibly a character-study of our main protagonist) but morphs into a hit-and-miss film, with scenes that just cannot be taken seriously, especially one’s shared with the villain of the piece, played by Jacek Koman.

Ultimately, McGregor has the most amount of fun, especially when he spends time deciding how to interrogate a timid young man: hammer, or freezer? Thwaites himself proves to be a talent worth following, and after recent roles in "Maleficent" to "Oculus", the young star continues to shine amongst his fellow cast members, producing a reserved performance, which eventually pays off. Vikander, a victim of circumstance here, is unfortunately left high and dry like most women in this testosterone-fuelled piece. Her character is undeniably weak, but she shines, emerging as one of the most interesting within the piece, much like her role in Alex Garland's "Ex Machina". 

Verdict

Occasionally grim and frequently stylish, but this is another standard genre piece which benefits from its main star’s talents, yet falters in its attempt to discover the film's tone and the overall purpose of the piece. 

4.5 Stars out of 10

Written by Scott Gentry. 

Film/TV Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.

9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.

Trailer

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