Trespass Against Us

This is a really tough movie to watch. It's not glitter it's not really made to be epic or anything else. It's a movie that stays low, that deals with a lot of strains, especially concerning family issues. But not just one dimensional ones, rather multiple ones. Blood related family, chosen family and so on.

Michael Fassbender and Gleeson are on a rampage acting wise. They really are amazing in this. The story is engaging enough and there is enough to enjoy. But you have to remember this is pretty gloomy. And the characters are not really people you'd necessarily root for in real life. But it's just that some people have to deal with different circumstances ... Not all the characters have to be likable - so just enjoy

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

The Cutlers are a traveller family living on the outskirts of Gloustershire. Colby (Brendan Gleeson) is the patriarch of the clan, the father figure with a contempt for authority, the education system and various other outside institutions that don't fit around the gypsy lifestyle. He uses a dummy of a policeman for target practise, and organizes raids on million dollar mansions owned by the rich. His son Chad (Michael Fassbender) wants a better life for his son Tyson (Georgie Smith), who he sends to a mainstream school, and wants out of the gypsy world. But after a raid on a judge's home goes awry, he finds himself plunged into a situation that spirals out of control, as the police crack down hard on them.

My local community has, in recent times, suffered at the hands of the travelling community, who've caused disruption rolling up on various car parks and such (in schools, and cinemas, ironically enough...), leaving much mess behind and taking up valuable police resources in getting rid of them. This lawless culture would seem to leave a blight on many places around the country, with similar tales being reported in various media outlets. With his feature length debut, director Adam Smith attempts to bring the world to the forefront in a traditional crime story about loyalty, honour and respect that doesn't reach any dizzying heights, but still demands your attention and keeps you gripped till the end.

It's one of those films where the performances drive the movie, and the star of the show would have to be Gleason, who has the most effective presence as the head of the clan, commanding respect and undivided attention from his brethren, but a definite runner up would be Fassbender, who creates an authentic embodiment of a real life gypsy, from his language to his mannerisms and swagger. A supporting cast including Lyndsey Marshal and Sean Harris, have equal kudos, but unavoidably have more limited screen time to display it.

Story wise, it's compelling and mighty enough, but there's just not enough of a solid structure to it to make it quite as dynamic as it could have been. Still, it could have been a lot worse, and Smith at least has the respite to include some humour in the proceedings in the form of some witty writing. You won't come away loving gypsies any more, but you'll at least be woken up to the filmic potential their background provides. ***

This film tells the story of an outcast criminal family, who lives in a trailer park somewhere in the United Kingdom. The main character's life is plagued with problems, as they have a controlling father, a mentally challenged brother and two children who grow up under a dubious environment.

"Tresspass Against Us" reminds me of "Captain Fantastic" because of their outcast status and unconventional lifestyle and the focus on the effect on the children's lives. "Tresspass Against Us" tells a more diverse story, as the entire family structure contribute equally to the story. Despite the mostly small time criminality and their obvious disrespect for the authorities, I still have developed much sympathy towards the family's hardship and challenges. I am touched by the Kel' determination for the children to be in school, and by the memorable ending. It is sad that the downfall is brought on by a human trait other than serious criminality. I find this film charming and engaging.

"Here's the truth, you pass it down from father to son. From father, son, grandson." Chad Cutler (Fassbender) has been involved in his dad Colby's (Gleeson) for his entire life. Chad's son is starting to understand what is going on and Chad makes a decision to get out of the family business. Things aren't always as easy as they seem though. This is a movie I had pretty high expectations for. Both of the main actors are great and this is really my style of movie. That being said I can't remember the last time I was this disappointed in one. I really really struggled to get into this movie and there never really seemed to be a plot or something to keep the story moving forward. The acting is great, but that can only take a movie so far. I'm sure many people will enjoy this one, but as for me I got bored early on and never really got to a point where I cared about what was going on. Overall, great acting but so slow an almost uninspired. One of the biggest disappointments I have seen in a long time. I sadly give this a C.

First time feature-film director Adam Smith establishes much in the opening minutes of the movie.

Our first image has the camera on the heels of a bullet-fast hare being chased and running for it's life through an endless meadow. Chasing, it seems, is a way of life for the backwoods thieving Cutler clan who we're about to meet.

The local British constabulary is usually doing the pursuing.

Chad Cutler (Michael Fassbender) squirms under the thumb of Colby, his domineering father, whose never-ending lifestyle of thievery sees no happy end. With a brother already trapped in prison, Chad looks at his young impressionable son and wonders whether he can offer him a different future.

To create a different path he must reassess Colby as a role model, and contemplate the unimaginable… to trespass against his father's wishes and put his own young family's well-being above the clan's. Ensuring an education – something his father denied him – seems to be the only escape route for his children's otherwise ill-fated future.

Colby, played by the indomitable Brendan Gleeson, is an uneducated patriarch whose limited worldview is a creeping cause for concern. His knack for planning successful robberies is now questionable, and he senses growing desperation and worry since it's become apparent his schemes are outdated and flawed. But knowing no other way of life, he hangs on, using whatever resources he can to keep his son, Chad, with him.

Michael Fassbender is an extremely talented actor and makes a powerful presence on the screen. Through him we witness Chad's struggle to be a dutiful son, loving husband and responsible father. With no formal schooling, no ability to read or write, his strongest skill is seen behind the wheel of a car in hot pursuit, he wrestles to make a choice on what kind of future he can offer his young family.

My rating: 76 /100

20 /25 – Overall

11 /15 – Directing

12 /15 – Acting

13 /15 – Cinematography (colour, angle, camera position)

06 /10 – Editing (rhythm, pace)

08 /10 – Script (dialogue, storyline)

06 /10 – Music/score (sound foley, costume, make-up casting)