Bronson

Michael Gordon Peterson has published 11 books, writes poetry, is an idiosyncratic and talented painter and does 2,500 push-ups each day – in prison, where the most violent prisoners of England are held for life, even though he has never killed or fatally wounded anyone. He was sentenced in 1974 to 7 years at the age of 19 for a raid on a post office and has become the longest serving prisoner in the United Kingdom. With a history of hostage-taking and violence against prison personnel, the incredibly strong ‘Bronson’ – a nickname he earned during his short career as a free fighter in the very brief periods he was a free man – spends most of his time in isolation.
Nicolas Winding Refn, who has displayed his talent in the simultaneously frightening and cabaretesque presentation of violence in for instance Pusher Trilogie, for the first time uses someone else’s screenplay in Bronson: in this case by Brock Norman Brock, known from Dogging, a Love Story. He allows Bronson to tell his life story, dressed as a variety artist. But it isn’t a literal biography: Refn, who as a Dane was unfamiliar with Bronson’s status, is more interested in his personality. The actor Tom Hardy, responsible for the spectacularly intense leading role, had been fascinated by Bronson for years. He also provides an amazing performance: as an actor and as a trained sportsmen. (GT)

• 

• 

•