Teenage inmate JR (Brenton Thwaites) arrives in prison. He uses his chess skills to befriend veteran criminal Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor). Once he's released, he joins crime lord Sam Lennox and executes a prison break for Lynch. JR falls for the bosses' girl Tasha (Alicia Vikander). They plan for a daring caper to steal gold bars.
JR is a bit bothersome. Of course, he's a young character but he's too trusting. Thwaites plays the character a bit too much like a puppy. The movie is playing up the central theme of chimpanzees and bonobos. Lynch should have talked about it early in prison. That way, JR could be excused for being a bonobo. I like some of the crime capers. I like McGregor. I like some of this but JR is problematic.
Son of a Gun
2014
Action / Crime / Drama / Thriller
Plot summary
Locked up for a minor crime, 19 year old JR quickly learns the harsh realities of prison life. Protection, if you can get it, is paramount. JR soon finds himself under the watchful eye of Australia's most notorious criminal, Brendan Lynch. But protection comes at a price. Lynch and his crew have plans for their young protegee. Upon release, JR must help secure Lynch's freedom, staging a daring prison break. As a reward, he's invited to join the crew as they plan a gold heist that promises to deliver millions. However, as things start to go wrong, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. JR finds himself unsure of whom he can trust and on a collision course with his former mentor.
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Australian crime drama
THE SACRIFICIAL MAN
JR (Brenton Thwaites) meets crime boss Brendan (Ewan McGregor) while in prison. Brendan covers JR's behind, who now owes Brendan. When JR gets out of prison, his first order to aid and abet in a prison break. Once out our twosome embark on a gold heist...with a girl (Alicia Vikander) in the plot to supply some conflict.
This was a fairly decent gangster film. It is one worth viewing, but not one I would view a second time. The actors were not overly conniving.
Guide: F-bomb. Brief sex and nudity
Taking under the wing
It seems like after (or before) Jeff Bridges, there is Ewan McGregor. Our main actor from "The Giver" is playing the main role here too. And again he has a mentor, which gets clear from early on. Though this "mentor" is a bit different. Also he plays a more adult role here. It's a prison con thriller kind of thing, which you either like or you don't. It's more than decent and it all comes down to the actors.
The script is OK, but you might have seen a lot of things. The ending is a bit predictable too, but it's fun to watch unfold. The movie could have been a bit leaner and meaner, but as it is it's more than a decent and enjoyable watch.