TheVenomfranchise has become a fan favorite, bringing a dark wit to a beloved villain and packing it with superhero-sized action sequences. However,Tom Hardy’sknack for darkcomedywas honed much before he was encased inside the snarky and violent symbiote. In fact, one of his best performances of all time comes from a gritty, crime-fueled, dark comedy based on the life of a real-life hell-raiser.
2008’sBronsonmay not scratch that same itch asVenom, with a much morebleak and violentapproach to its humor, but it certainly showcases Hardy’s profound talent. We will examine how Bronson won over a dedicated fandom while falling under the mainstream radar and why this Tom Hardy dark comedy is a must-watch. Things will get violent, but those who can stomach it will find pure perfection.
Tom Hardy Enters a World of Crime in ‘Bronson’
Bronson was inspired by the real-life figure, Charles Bronson (the criminal, not the actor). Born to Michael Gordon Peterson and changing his name to Charles Arthur Salvador,the British criminalwas later named Charles Bronson after the rugged action star. Charles was initially arrested as a petty criminal. His seven-year sentence was extended after he brutally assaulted several guards. On release, he entered the world of underground bare-knuckle boxing but was quickly arrested once again on another robbery account. Despite his minimal criminal activity in the real world, Bronson became a lifer in prison due to numerous incidents, spending most of his time in solitary confinement.
“You don’t want to be trapped inside with me sunshine. Inside, I’m somebody nobody wants to f*** with do you understand? I am Charlie Bronson, I am Britain’s most violent prisoner.” Tom Hardy as Charles Bronson
The production offered a more comedic, though equally brutal, retelling of the man. This included his original incident of theft, his short release, and his subsequent return that saw him in solitary confinement. The movie offers a stylized account that is more true in broad strokes than an actual biography, allowing the troubled life of the infamous character to be played more in a darkly comedic tone. Still,Hardy would get the blessing of the man himself for his characterization of him.
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Starring Tom Hardy in the titular role, the movie is truly a one-man show. Some intriguing additions to the cast orbit Hardy’s chaos, including Matt King, better known as the drug-addicted party-goer Super Hans in the hit BBC comedyPeepshow. The movie was directed by theequally revered and reviled Nicolas Winding Refn. The movie is often overlooked in his oeuvre, with the film not matching his other work’s slow stylistic pace and abstract storytelling methods; comedy is also not the first thing that springs to mind when considering his work.
‘Bronson’ Was Loved by Fans and Critics But Flew Under the Radar
Looking at rating aggregate sites, you will find a lot of love for this Tom Hardy gem. Rotten Tomatoes has the movie 75% fresh with critics and 74% on the Popcornmeter. Comparatively, the dark comedy sits at 7.0/10 on IMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd. While Tom Hardy is a marquee name and an established star of Hollywood blockbusters, part of the actor’s charm has been hiswillingness to take on various roles. Bronson is cherished among fans, but it was a moderately budgeted film with a limited box office run. Mind you, the movie still performed well; off a production budget of $230,000, it made $2.7 million worldwide, with word-of-mouth carrying the film’s success.
“Prison was… Honestly? Brilliant! I liked it, personally. Aw, f*** that, I loved it! It was exciting! It was on the edge! It was madness at its very best!” Tom Hardy as Charles Bronson
Critical praise for the feature primarily focused on Hardy’s performance, with Jonathan Romney stating in hisreview for Offscreen, “Hardy’s monstrous performance is indeed the showstopper of the film. Equal parts hilarious, terrifying, and impressive, it is a true star-making turn.” Nick Clement fromBack to the Movieheaped on more praise, stating, “Hardy is extraordinary, giving quite literally one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from any actor in any film.“These accolades are certainly deserved, as it is an utterly immersive experience, with Hardy fully embracing the characterand creating an unstoppable force of nature that one can only watch in awe.
Why You Need to Watch Tom Hardy in ‘Bronson’
Hardy’s approach to the part is an obvious draw toBronson.Tom Hardy would take the time to sit down with and talk with the infamous criminal to attempt to capture his essence and cut through the mysticism around the figure. Yet it is not just the candor and swagger he brings; the delivery of lines comes with such conviction that it leaves the audience resting on his every word. Tom Hardy does embody a dangerous criminal with such realism, albeit with a touch of the absurd, that it makes the interest in the real-figure understandable. Moreover, his interactions with others are like a powder keg, always ready to go off; feigned kindness can quickly melt into violent threats and physical intimidation.
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Stepping outside Tom Hardy’s performance, the movie still carries some of that signature style of Nicolas Winding Refn. A visual feast, the abstract moments come from introspective lines of dialogue from Hardy, sometimes dressed as a jester, that frame the inner ruminations of the mad criminal.The script is also solid, with not so much as memorable lines of dialogue but chaotic spouting that sticks with the viewer. The movie has such a large presence that it warrants re-watches to pick up on all its nuances and moments of dark comedy.Bronsonshould be a must-watch for Hardy fans and those who enjoy a movie with a twisted sense of humor.You can streamBronsonfor free on Plex, Tubi, or Pluto TV.
