Bruton
Rating: 5/5
By: Nathaniel Simpson
I think a lot of prison dramas work the same way - they tell the story of someone who goes to prison and either gets out or is forced to stay locked up for the rest of their lives. There have been a few fantastic prison dramas, but I think there is definitely this sort of formula and routine that these films follow. Whenever you watch a prison drama, you pretty much figure out where the film is going to go and what you can expect. However, with Vincent Grashaw's Bruton, he does a fantastic job of subverting expectations and delivering a film that contains numerous emotional layers that the viewer gets to unpack throughout this movie. Not only will Grashaw's film make you resonate with the character of Bryan Bruton, but it will also make you laugh, cry, and find hope in the most hopeless situations. On top of that, Theo Rossi delivers another fantastic performance that will have you thinking about this character for days after watching the film.
The film follows Rossi's Bruton as he is sent to prison over an accident occurred one fateful night. Grashaw's film shows the seven years that Bryan spends in prison, going from starting his own business throughout some of the years to his eventual break-out, leading for him to get caught. Grashaw does a brilliant job documenting what this man goes through for almost a decade, and it is awe-inspiring in the sense of how he was able to tell this story incredibly smoothly and keep the audience hooked from beginning to end.
What I love about this film is how Grashaw is able to blend these genres together to show a real, human portrait of what it is like going to prison. Grashaw mentioned to me when talking about this film that he wanted to craft this picture to make the viewer feel different emotions throughout and not have the same ole' run-of-the-mill prison drama. I think he achieves this flawlessly, and I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat through multiple moments of this film. Contrary to other prison dramas, this film has numerous different beats throughout the story that I don't think we have seen in a prison film before. I think he does a great job of combing through the stories that the real Bryan Bruton told him and picking out the best parts that would work in a film retelling of this story.
My real first exposure to Theo Rossi was in Kevin Hamedani's film The Saviors, which starred Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler. In that picture, he plays this very quiet and mysterious character, keeping us guessing on who he really is and what motives he may have. However, in Bruton, Rossi does a complete 180 and practically embodies this eccentric and charming man who knows how to get his way. These two differing performances are a testament to the kind of actor Rossi is, and I think he might possibly be one of the best in the game concerning independent cinema. There is no doubt that Rossi throws himself into every role he plays, and it is refreshing as a viewer and critic to see this actor make sure that every role he plays feels very genuine and authentic.
At the same time, the supporting actors here do a phenomenal job of complementing Rossi's performance. I loved Aya Cash, Tony Hale, and Tammy Blanchard in these roles, but I really think it is Kayden Brenna Tokarski who steals the show in the scenes she is in. Grashaw allows this story between a daughter wanting to see her father and would do anything to see him again play out over the third act of this film, and Tokarski does a phenomenal job of pulling on the heartstrings and brings a tear to the viewer's eye. Reflecting on my own journey I have taken within myself after my father's passing, I found a lot of myself in how the character of Crystal feels, and I think Tokarski does a beautiful job of translating these emotions and feelings to the screen.
I also want to comment on Grashaw's beautiful editing effort for this movie, and I think he brings his own sense of style and flair for the editing of this movie. He had this vision of how he wanted this story to play out, and I think he does a brilliant job of executing it in every scene. From the voiceover monologues to the way he edits certain scenes to add a sense of style and texture to this world he is bringing to life, his filmmaking style feels very unique and personal to him as a filmmaker, and I just sit back and allow this talented craftsman bring me into this world.
Bruton is an incredibly beautiful take on a man in prison, and I think there is a lot that every viewer can take from this movie. I have seen it three times now, and I take away something new every single time I have watched it. This is my first film I have seen from Grashaw, and he instantly made me a fan of how he brings his own style and flair to this craft. I can't wait to check out the rest of his filmography, and I will be seeing everything else he makes in his career right when it comes out.
Comments
Post a Comment