hard return
A BRIT AUTEUR BACK MAKING WAVES…
BULL 18 FILM OUT 5 NOVEMBER CINEMAS
Long story,” says Bull (Neil Maskell) when asked where he’s been. The same might be true of Paul Andrew Williams, one of the noughties’ most interesting independent British filmmakers. Now, after a decade spent largely directing prestige TV, he’s back to his genre roots, with a vengeance.
In common with its aptly named anti-hero, Bull is lean and mean. Reminiscent of Dead Man’s Shoes and Oldboy, but with an uncompromisingly hard edge of its own, it’s Williams’ most startling work since his 2006 debut London To Brighton.
Why has Bull returned after a decade to slash his way through his old gang, en route to big boss Norm (David Hayman)? And why doesn’t anybody believe he’s back? Williams juggles the then and now in a disorientating, non-linear structure that withholds its surprises until the end. Along the way, the director maintains a steady flow of vicious set-pieces. You’ll certainly never look at a fairground waltzer the same way again.
Maskell rivals his breakthrough turn in Kill List as a man who doesn’t flinch from inflicting bloody mayhem. He might look nondescript in his jacket and jeans; indeed, Williams pulls off one incredible Where’s Wally?-style shot where Bull blends unobserved into the background. But face to face with his victims, you won’t forget him, as Maskell’s eyes burn with passion and his face contorts into a mask of maniacal rage.