Reviewing 5 of the biggest films released in 2021 so far.

Concrete Cowboy

Directed by Ricky Staub

Starring Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin

Troubled teenager, Cole (Caleb McLaughlin), is sent to live with his father (Idris Elba) who is a modern-day cowboy in Philadelphia. Cole is torn between a life of crime and the demanding life of raising and riding horses.

An eye-opening look into the remarkable community of cowboys living in the modern Philadelphia suburbs. It is a wonderfully executed father-son story and depicts the struggle of a proud and historic community seeking to protect its way of life against the gentrification of the city. A completely unique and compelling story and the inclusion of the real Philadelphia cowboys grounds this film in reality. A reality which is far more extraordinary than fiction.

Directed by Josh Trank

Starring Tom Hardy and Linda Cardellini

Insight into the demise of notorious mobster, Al Capone (Tom Hardy) as his mental state deteriorates from neuro-syphilis.

The depiction of one of the most powerful and ruthless criminals in history as the broken man he became in his middle age is striking. However, the grotesqueness of Capone (often leaking bodily fluids) and the deliberate confusion of the narrative make this film very difficult to watch. Tom Hardy is committed in his performance but occasionally his character feels over-the-top to the point of absurdity. In contrast, there is a phenomenal performance by Linda Cardellini as Capone’s wife, who is fiercely protective of her family. My expectations were probably too high, as the prospect of one of my favourite actors tackling this complex role genuinely excited me. The film left me underwhelmed and it felt like a poor execution of a brilliant idea.

Directed by Anthony and John Russo

Starring Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo

Cherry (Tom Holland) returns from serving as a medic in Iraq. The trauma of war causes him and his girlfriend, Emily (Ciara Bravo), to descend into a life addiction and crime.

This story respectfully and intelligently deals with the challenging but important themes of PTSD and addiction. The film is heavily stylised which makes it unique and immersive. For example the scenes of intoxication are shot in a colourful and distorted manner, making the viewer feel overwhelmed and disorientated. Strong performances from the two leads meant that I deeply empathised with both characters, making the story of their struggle incredibly emotional. One of the most powerful and memorable films I have seen for a long time, I would highly recommend it!

Directed by Kevin Macdonald.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Jodie Foster and Tahar Rahim

Based on a true story. Human rights lawyer, Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) decides to defend Mohamedou Slahi (Tahar Rahim) who is being held at Guantanamo Bay over accusations of facilitating the 9/11 attacks. Meanwhile military lawyer, Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), is tasked with prosecuting him to be executed by the government.

This film exposes the inhumane treatment of prisoners by the US military and intelligence forces who are driven by revenge rather than discovering the truth. The shocking nature of the torture scenes illustrates the dehumanization and psychological torment the prisoners at Guantanamo have been subjected to. It is also a poignant story of the incredible mental and physical resilience of an innocent man who is desperate to return to his family which is portrayed exceptionally well by Tahar Rahim. A eloquent story of the realities of human cruelty and the fortitude needed to overcome it.

Directed by Tiller Russel

Starring Jason Clarke and Nick Robinson

Loosely base on a true story. Philosophy student, Ross Ulbicht (Nick Robinson) creates the first ever digital drug marketplace. Meanwhile, old-school cop, Rick Bowden (Jason Clarke) is out of his depth in the cyber-crime department but starts to investigate this mysterious online black market.

Although it is wildly exaggerated for dramatic purposes, the story of the the silk road is significant as it changed drug trafficking forever. The depiction of the generational divide, shown by the dismissal of Rick Bowden’s findings by his younger, more tech-savvy colleagues, is a particularly interesting aspect of this film. The character of Ross Ulbicht, is well acted, but inherently pretentious and self-important which makes him impossible to root for. Likewise, Rick Bowden is endearing at first but his violent tendencies and selfish agenda make him an ultimately unpleasant character. A well made and entertaining thriller but the lack of likeability from the two lead characters meant that I wasn’t fully invested in the storyline.