Bullhead, 2011.
Written and Directed by Michael R. Roksam.
Starring Matthias Schoenaerts, Jeroen Perceval and Jeanne Dandoy
SYNOPSIS:
Domineering cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille (Matthias Schoenaerts), constantly pumped on steroids and hormones, initiates a shady deal with a notorious mafioso meat trader. When an investigating federal agent is assassinated and a woman from his traumatic past resurfaces, Jacky must confront his demons and face the far-reaching consequences of his decisions.
For this review I have decided to be a giving soul and include not one but two reviews for Bullhead. My good friend Mr Hatch popped around and at the end of the film I asked him if he too would like to give a few words and he did. To get the ball rolling, I’ll start with my thoughts first.
Bullhead is an outstanding piece of cinema. I don’t think a film has kept me quiet for so long during its play; as each moment growss towards the end of the story I was silent. Jacky’s (Schoenaerts) monologue at the beginning echoes throughout, building to a climax where you a left with nothing more than sadness and anger at the coincidences that have led Jacky to his final moments.
The film follows Jacky, who on initial appearance, is a muscle bound, imposing man who oppresses local farmers that won’t take his cattle. He is a man who won’t allow people to get the upper hand and he is addicted to muscle enhancing drugs, taking pills or injecting himself on a daily basis.. You don’t like this man. Slowly, however, as the tapestry of his life unwinds you see what brought him to his present moment. Your view of him is aggressively twisted to the point where you feel sorry for this man, but find it difficult to do so as, for example, he batters a man into a coma for dancing with the woman he has been infatuated with since being a child.
Adding to this mix we are also dragged into the Mafioso Meat trading underworld, the murder of a federal agent, incompetent mechanics (who reminded me greatly of the Chuckle Brothers), and a family friend Police Informant who wants nothing more than to sleep with his Police handler. Beautifully shot, directed and acted, Bullhead needs to be on your shelf – take your hard earned cash and buy it.
A few words by Mr Hatch:
With Bullhead you get a film about Flemish hormone mafia, cattle farmers and a truly nasty teenage secret. A date film it’s not, but you do get multi-layer thriller that at times has you on the edge of your seat and hiding behind the cushion. Hard to believe it’s Michael R. Roskam’s full length debut! Beautifully shot without the gloss of Hollywood, it’s refreshing to have a film without any over the top chase scenes or carefully choreographed set pieces. Bullhead is a slow burner that gradually builds to a tense finale, a film that has revenge, regret, redemption and a bovine caesarean!
Flickering Myth Rating: Film ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Villordsutch is married with kids and pets. He looks like a tubby Viking and enjoys science fiction. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published May 20, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
