Tyrannosaur (2011) // dir. Paddy Considine

Paddy Considine makes the transistion from actor to director with this bleak, yet powerful masterpiece.

Joseph (Peter Mullan), an aggressive alcoholic struggling to control his outbursts of rage, forms an unlikely friendship with humble charity shop worker, Hannah (Olivia Colman). On the surface, she appears to have the perfect life, living happily with her husband on an affluent, suburban estate. However, things aren't always as they seem; Hannah is trapped, suffering horrendous abuse at the hands of her unassumingly terrifying husband (Eddie Marsan). Eventually, following a particularly horrific attack, she plucks up the courage to leave. Hannah and Joseph find solace in each other, and embark upon an improbable yet endearing friendship. Mullan superbly portrays a man tormented by his own past, but shows a softer side when tamed by Colman's character. Where the film truly shines though, is Colman. Her delivery of an incredibly powerful, brutally honest and moving performance is the driving force of Tyrannosaur, and it is nothing short of an outrage that she was overlooked in the Best Actress categories of this year's awards ceremonies. Tyrannosaur, like its namesake, is a powerful beast; it is heart wrenching, bleak, and emotionally draining to watch. It really packs a punch, ensuring that you won't forget it in a hurry.