The Smuggler (AKA The Mule), 2014.
Directed by Tony Mahony and Angus Sampson
Starring Hugo Weaving, Angus Sampson, Leigh Whannell, Ewen Leslie, John Noble.
SYNOPSIS:
A first time drug mule is caught by law enforcement.
If you’ve ever wondered whether a film could feature a significant plotline involving the protagonist trying to hold in a dump for two weeks, then wonder no more! That film is here! Aussie crime/comedy, The Smuggler (also known as The Mule) tells the tale of Ray Jenkins (Angus Sampson) who is persuaded by his best friend to smuggle heroin back to Australia from Thailand. Ray, not being the sharpest tool in the box, is caught and incarcerated at customs. So with that he’s taken to an airport hotel and watched over by authorities until he passes the contents of his bowels. Quite whether that’s actually police procedure I don’t know, but for the purposes of the film, that’s what happens (the film is apparently loosely based on true events).
The Smuggler has that kind of easy-going, Oz charm. It’s not an outright comedy. It’s not a gag a minute but it’s fairly amusing. Angus Sampson also co-directed (with Tony Mahony), co-wrote and co-produced the film, leaving one to assume it was something of a passion project. As the rather dim Ray he does a good job. Some will recognise Sampson from Series 2 of the utterly brilliant Fargo series. He was also in Mad Max: Fury Road.
The film looks very good. It’s beautifully shot, capturing both the Oz locales very nicely, and particularly the vibrant atmosphere of Bangkok. To be fair it’s very hard not to make Bangkok look vibrant and dazzling on film. The 80’s set time period is very well represented. The film does meander at times, whilst it’s a little stuck between the dramatic and the comical without finding a home in either genre. As such it’s not that humorous for a comedy, nor that dramatically enthralling as a drama, but that said it’s still an enjoyable film and has occasionally gripping moments.
The cast are good. Sampson is an effectively lumbering, lethargic and simple presence in the lead allowing for the supporting cast to provide more energy. Leigh Whannell (who also co-wrote) gives a decent performance as Ray’s friend Gavin. However the top honours of the film go firstly to veteran actor John Noble (Lord of the Rings: Return of the King). He plays crime boss, Pat Shepherd with suitably gruff authority. Then we have the films big name star, Hugo Weaving. Weaving is brilliant. He plays a hardened and uncompromising Detective who will bend the rules to breaking point to get the job done. He’s misogynistic, vile and unhinged and Weaving revels in the role. The film really steps up a notch when he’s on screen, yet his arc is also interesting too.
Whilst the film probably won’t live all that long in the memory, it’s very well made, well acted and features some standout turns from its two former Middle-earth inhabitants (Noble and Weaving).
Most definitely worth a watch and another fine example of Australia’s film industry.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Tom Jolliffe
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