3.0 out of 5 stars
This Australian Neo-Noir Looks Terrific, But It Lacks An Emotional Punch, October 16, 2011
I am a freak for Film Noir and modern movies that adapt to the darker sensibilities of the genre are likely to be ones that I hold near to my heart. "Tender Hook," a 2008 Australian film renamed "The Boxer and the Bombshell" for American DVD distribution, has all of the elements necessary to make it an unmissable hard-edged contemporary crime drama. It has a top notch cast including Rose Byrne and Hugo Weaving, fantastic period detail, gorgeous cinematography, and a potentially engaging story of illicit romance in a world of crime and corruption. Seriously, I think that director (and writer) Jonathan Ogilvie has crafted a spectacular looking picture, but the screenplay and characterizations lack a focus that would have brought much needed passion to the story. Despite the many good points, the film feels rather bloodless and inert. It's a shame, really, I wanted to love this movie (although I hate the meaningless new title--referring to Byrne as a bombshell has NO real context in relation to her character), but I find it a curious failure instead.
Set in the twenties, the movie features Matt Le Nevez as a struggling boxer hoping to break into the big time (or at least make a living). He gets involved with a local crime boss (Weaving), his moll (Byrne), and assorted low-level henchman as a new world on the underbelly of society opens up to him. Weaving's character is a mass of contradictions, and I'm not quite sure how he rose to power or stayed in charge. But for certain, he has a temper. Byrne, for her part, is also rather sketchily drawn. How or why the two are bonded is never fully believable. She, of course, has eyes for the new prize fighter despite his lack of emotional range. A rather chaste flirtation representing grand passion inflames Weaving and the three form a triangle with each guy maneuvering for power and the ultimate spoils (Byrne's heart). This might have made for riveting melodrama, but instead plays rather blandly. I never particularly cared about the fates of any of the characters or believed in the relationships.
Some of the supporting cast is good with other primary plot points involving racism and prohibition, but I remained oddly detached from the proceedings. I have to attribute my apathy to a lack of character insight. The film sets up its romantic scenario, but does little to make it urgent and real. Still, if you like the principle actors, you might want to check this out. I'd probably call it a 2 1/2 star endeavor for my taste--I wanted the story to have much more impact. But I'll round up for the loving detail that makes the film look so spectacular. If only these two elements would have been more in harmony, this might have been a real undiscovered gem. KGHarris, 10/11.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
