Tyrannosaur (2011)

Tyrannosaur is a movie starring Peter Mullan, Archie Lal, and Jag Sanghera. Joseph, a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction, earns a chance of redemption that appears in the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop worker.

Director:

Paddy Considine

Writer:

Paddy Considine

Stars:

Peter Mullan, Archie Lal, Jag Sanghera

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 20 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Mullan	...	Joseph
Archie Lal	...	Post Office Cashier
Jag Sanghera	...	Gurav
Mike Fearnley	...	Dan
Paul Conway	...	Terry
Lee Rufford	...	Paul
Olivia Colman	...	Hannah
Samuel Bottomley	...	Samuel
Sian Breckin	...	Kelly
Paul Popplewell	...	Bod
Eddie Marsan	...	James
Robin Butler	...	Jack
Sally Carman	...	Marie
Ned Dennehy	...	Tommy
Fiona Carnegie	...	Woman in Shop

Storyline

The story of Joseph, a man plagued by violence and a rage that is driving him to self-destruction. As Joseph's life spirals into turmoil, a chance at redemption appears in the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop worker. Their relationship develops to reveal that Hannah is hiding a secret of her own with devastating consequences to both of their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

charity shop | beating | domestic violence | abuse | abused woman | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 2011 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Tiranossauro

Filming Locations:

Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,635, 20 November 2011, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$22,088, 11 March 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warp X, Inflammable Films, Film4

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Directorial debut of Paddy Considine.

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Quotes

Hannah: I prayed for you last night.
Joseph: Yeah, well, it didn't fucking work.
Hannah: I think it did.
Joseph: Don't think he heard you, love.
Hannah: Why did you come here?
Joseph: I was just passing.
Hannah: There must be a reason. Do you want God to forgive you for something?
Joseph: I don't want anything from that fuck.
Hannah: God loves you.
Joseph: Does he now?
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Preceding the end credits is the note: For Pauline

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Connections

References Balamory (2002)

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Soundtracks

I'm a Man You Don't Meet Everyday
(uncredited)
Traditional
Performed by Ned Dennehy

User Reviews

Violent, bleak, transformational brilliance

Paddy Considine's directorial debut has been a widely anticipated event. With his excellent performances throughout his British cinematic career, most notably his work with Shane Meadows, a dark, churning piece of cinema was what we have been expecting.

We have not been let down. Tyrannosaur is as gritty as it is gripping. The setting in a Northern industrial, working class community – the estates of Leeds, creates the imprisoned physical environment for Joseph (Peter Mullen) an alcoholic, self-loathing widower who meets a Christian charity worker (Olivia Coleman) and we are drawn into their troublesome worlds.

The films workings of violence and desperation draws another influence to my mind, which is Gary Oldman's directorial debut 'Nil by Mouth'. Both are lavished in gritty, deglamorised violence. Both have a tendency to stare the darkness in the eye, unlike some audience members (including myself) that will have an undeniable urge to look away. It's a representation of life on the underside, where it often is difficult, dark, testing and sometimes evil in its twists of fate.

The film has a strong link to animalistic representations, an element to which instantly brought Andrea Arnolds award winning short film 'Dog' to mind. The idea of trapped animals and the capabilities of those pushed too far is a powerful and dominating theme.

Needless to say the challenging viewing nature of this film forms the base of its appeal. Its unflinching and unapologetic brutality could be deemed too prosaic for the majority of mainstream cinema goers. You will need to be ready for the challenge to fully take in and be moved by the film, it's not one to watch on a Sunday morning, put it that way.

The direction and acting are the notables in this production. Most notably Olivia Coleman, whose supporting role threatens to overshadow that of Mullen's, if it wasn't for his own exceptional performance. Mullen portrays Joseph in such a way that despite his loathsome qualities he remains human and even relatable, at times when other characters don't.

But it is Coleman's character and performance that really underpins and illuminates the rest of the feature. Her character is an almost polarised opposite in comparison with Joseph however as the plot turns we are exposed to an array of character transformations. It is these that actually help support the minimalistic plot which allows us to focus and be consumed by these iridescent performances.

Considine has excelled himself in his writing and direction, with very few criticisms that could be levelled at each, other than those looking to nit-pick. Whilst somewhat preoccupied with the grim and depressive side of the characters, the film triumphs as it chase's the ray of light at the end of the tunnel. For all its depressing and challenging nature it mirrors the lives it portrays and the personal struggles of the characters, as they keep pushing and fighting. An excellent first feature from Considine and I personally cannot wait for his next offering.