Nicolas Refn’s Bronson is a portrait on Britain’s most dangerous inmate who is portrayed in an incredible performance by Tom Hardy through a journey of solitude and violence told with incredible style.

Bronson or Charles Bronson is our title character, but not that Charles Bronson.  Our portrait is of Michael Gordon Peterson who adopts the name Charles Bronson after, yes, that Charles Bronson.  Peterson’s first trip to prison came after robbing a post office as a young husband and once incarcerated that is where his story began.  Peterson claims he always wanted to be famous and since he didn’t have any traditional talents he would have to take a different path to fame; that being a violent and antagonizing prisoner that does nothing but raise hell.  Peterson’s fame at first is contained to his inmates who love him for his physicality towards the guards but the wardens get to know him so much they start sending him off to another prison to get him off their hands.  His life includes countless beatings, both delivered and received, a trip to a mental institution, and lots of time alone. [Read more...]