Tyrannosaurus

Written and directed by Paddy Considine Tyrannosaurus (2011)  is an extremely disturbing and gritty movie. This movie does not sugar coat anger or play into the commercial anger induced violence often assimilated in today's less talk more punch and kick action movies. The anger, the violence, the rage feel heartbreakingly real. Joseph brilliantly portrayed by Peter Mullen is an enraged, unemployed, violent, widower. He reacts to any situation he is unhappy in, with unbridled violence. The opening sequence where he kills his dog with one angry kick, then portrays heartfelt sorrow at it's death, is pivotal. This sums up the character of Joseph, sensitive beyond the rough edged exterior, but sensitive to a point. His sorrow at the loss of the dog and his continued turmoil, in a moment of grief filled weakness  brings him into the Christian Charity store run by Hannah (brilliantly played by Olivia Colman). After being abrupt and rude to her, a  mannerism he wears like a second skin, Joseph grows to accept her within the confines of an uneasy friendship.
From a well off neighbourhood, Hannah continues to work at the Christian Charity store,  but is ridiculed for her hypocrisy and affluent misgivings of wealth by Joseph. Yet she too bears poignant scars she seems to hide well.
The movie tries to unmask society for us, tries to make us understand that the angriest person in the room may not hold as many secrets or harbor as vivid a scar as the one borne by the quietest or the most silent.
Even through it's gray mood, the movie lulls us briefly, a sense of temporary happiness presides over the funeral reception for Joseph's best friend.
The residual characters are either victims or prisoners of rage, they orbit around the general arena of its dark stage.
With this movie it dawned on me that people like Peter the rudest, most violent person around has less to hide than the silent, passionate person in the corner, he is able to act out his emotions instantly often with disastrous consequences rather than bear it game facedly and fester. Even through the darkness of this movie there is a silent lesson being played out even though it may be difficult for us to understand or accept.