• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

International Film Festival Rotterdam Review – True History of the Kelly Gang (2019)

January 28, 2020 by admin

True History of the Kelly Gang, 2o19.

Directed by Justin Kurzel.
Starring George MacKay, Essie Davis, Nicholas Hoult, Russell Crowe, Orlando Schwerdt, Thomasin McKenzie, Charlie Hunnam, Earl Cave, and Sean Keenan.

SYNOPSIS:

The life of Ned Kelly, from childhood in a poor Irish convict family in Australia, to his eventual face off with British authorities as a wanted outlaw.

Truth is something that has become very subjective. Justin Kurzel’s latest feature seems well timed – it arrives in an era woefully described for a few years now as “post-truth”. Kurzel makes the case that, for the infamous at least, this has always been the way of the world. Applying his trademark grit to a story that was dark enough to begin with, Kurzel provides his version of history. Why not leave truth to be questioned later?

Focusing on key periods of Ned’s life, True History aims to give some explanation as to how a person might end up as a celebrated criminal. In a similar regard to Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale, the antagonists shaping the lives of Ned’s family are the British officers – disgustingly rough caricatures who are always looking to take something for themselves. The tight knit family is key here, and writer Shaun Grant fosters young Ned’s dependency and ultimate love for his manipulative mother, played by the excellent Essie Davis. With clear friends and foes, it only remains to add repetitive hardships, and watch Ned develop into the man he was meant to be. Through child actor Orlando Schwerdt’s brilliantly strong performance, it is fascinating early on to see a shade to Kelly that shuns violence and avoids crime.

These become the three main themes Grant follows throughout the script, adding intrigue to what otherwise might have been a standard Hollywood biopic. The familial theme is well held, propelling virtually all of Ned’s actions in the latter half of the film. What is slightly disappointing is that Grant drops the theme of Ned’s reluctance to murder, and seems to do so merely to serve the story. It would not be quite so striking, had the film not already shown at least three instances in which Ned could have, and perhaps should have, pulled the trigger before this. When he finally does, there is no time given to the change in his mentality – it is a theme brushed over and flippantly disregarded.

This is, of course, an issue with Kurzel’s manner of filmmaking. More so than most directors, he is obsessed with style and creating memorable imagery, to the detriment of subject. From the opening horseback ride through barren Australian land to the climactic clash, there are a great many instances of cinematographic perfection and poster-worthy bliss. But that superficiality sparkles through other areas of the film. As much as Nicholas Hoult appears to enjoy his performance as officer Fitzpatrick, the character is almost entirely void of substance. Even the fantastic George MacKay struggles towards the end, as the film abandons Kelly’s former cohesiveness and logicality, adopting instead a garish animalistic manner. It is acting for show, and lacks that all important truth.

For this is the third, and most important theme Grant is exploring. The film frames Kelly as the teller of his own story, which is destined to be butchered by time and inaccuracy. It is a clever comment on the notion that history is written by the victors, but also on the process in which a person becomes an icon. Perhaps most important, True History never demands that you believe what is being presented. The film doesn’t claim to be interesting through the mere fact that it is based on a true story, as many biopics do. Kurzel’s film is the fantastic spectacle one might expect, and in the end, succeeds in its originality and general disregard for formula. If only it didn’t get carried away with stylish indulgence.

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

Dan Sareen

Filed Under: Dan Sareen, Movies, Reviews Tagged With: Charlie Hunnam, Earl Cave, Essie Davis, George MacKay, Justin Kurzel, Nicholas Hoult, Orlando Schwerdt, Russell Crowe, Sean Keenan, Thomasin McKenzie, True History of the Kelly Gang

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

10 Great Forgotten Movie Gems Worth Seeking Out

1995: The Year Horror Sequels Hit Rock Bottom?

Great Forgotten Supernatural Horror Movies from the 1980s

Coming of Rage: Eight Great Horror Movies About Adolescence

Cannon Films and the Masters of the Universe

10 Great Val Kilmer Performances

Great Movies Guaranteed To Creep You Out

Forgotten 90s Action Movies That Deserve a Second Chance

Great Cult 90s Horror Movies You Have To See

The Best Milla Jovovich Movies Beyond Resident Evil

Top Stories:

Great Tarantino-esque Movies You Need To See

Whatever Happened to the Horror Icon?

The Rise of Paul Thomas Anderson: A Living Legend

Movie Review – Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)

Movie Review – The Shrouds (2025)

Comic Book Preview – Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes & Rivals

Back to the Future at 40: The Story Behind the Pop Culture Touchstone

Movie Review – Hot Milk (2025)

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

7 Forgotten 2000s Comedy Movies That Are Worth Revisiting

5 Underrated Jean-Claude Van Damme Movies

7 Prom-Themed Horror Movies You Need To See

The Must-See Movies of 2015

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket