Director: David Michôd
Writers: Joel Edgerton (story), David Michôd (screenplay)
Stars: Guy Pearce, Robert Pattinson, Scoot McNairy
Running Time: !03 mins.
The bleak Australian outback after some kind of economic collapse is the setting for what is essentially an excellent character study of two men whose disparate goals become united.
Guy Pearce plays Eric, a drifter whose only possession, his car, is stolen by a team of robbers making their getaway and Robert Pattinson is Rey, the mentally challenged injured man they left behind. He’s also the brother of one of the robbers, Henry (McNairy), who’s a little broken up about having to ditch Rey to save their asses.
As Eric goes after the thieves to retrieve his car, he stumbles upon Rey and drags him along to help find the whereabouts of Henry and his team.
Working at a snail’s pace, The Rover is excellent in developing Eric and Rey’s dependence upon one another. Rey needs medical attention and Eric needs a direction to follow to get back his car. Along the way they make mistakes that nearly cost them their lives but cement their relationship.
Lotta says: Pearce is rock solid as the intense and highly volatile Eric while Pattinson’s performance is remarkable. Together they create the glue that firmly holds The Rover together despite a few questionable script mishaps you may not even notice.