I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

Absolutely Fantastic

A different way of telling a story

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Hot off the back of the truly awe-full Assassin's Creed, Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson teamed up once again, and did better this time around, surely!Chad Cutler (Michael Fassbender) is a member of a criminal family of travellers living in a ramshackle community somewhere in the West Country. However, Chad is trying to escape the influence of his father Colby (Brendan Gleeson) to give his family a safer and less violent life.Colby is an extremely religious man who rules the family with an iron fist, acting as a leader in both body and spirit. His proclamations of creationism grate with Chad and his wish for his children to be educated, unlike himself. This conflict is what drives most of the plot of Trespass Against Us, with Chad's son Tyson (Georgie Smith) usually being caught in the middle.The dynamic between Fassbender and Gleeson's characters is the high-point of the film by far, with both actors putting in solid performances, even managing to hold their thick accents throughout. Together they build a believable, if not a slightly frosty, father- son relationship.Fassbender is possibly one of the top hardest working actors in UK, with eleven credits since his BAFTA winning role in Hunger and Oscar-nominated roles in 12 Years A Slave and Steve Jobs so far, he hasn't disappointed.In Trespass Against Us he proves once again his range, being able to disappear into any character in blockbusters and independent films alike. Although bringing his characteristic confidence to Chad, he also shows a softer side to what could otherwise be just another criminal hard man.However, the film is also a surprisingly slow burn for what paints itself to be a crime drama. . . it's not! At least not your typical one.Gleeson's Colby is both caring and sinister as the patriarch of the Cutler family, at one point screaming at a police officer 'Hell hath no fury like a locked-up super goat.' He uses his deep religious beliefs to reiterate his role as the head of the family, even convincing them that the Earth is flat.Despite this, Trespass Against Us is never able to differentiate itself from other films in the genre. The travelling community is shown as nothing more than a mi-sh mash of different stereotypes and caricatures. Chad's family are not given adequate room to develop and end up feeling like props – rather than a part of the greater narrative.Overall, the film has enough power and can leave most of you in awe, in a very respectable way as Fassbender and Gleeson get one more shot at greatness together, because they definitely deserve it!

I saw the negative reviews before watching this film and decided that with Gleeson and Fassbender in starring roles, it couldn't be all that bad. Well, it is and then some. In England there are three types of travelling people - the original Rom gypsies (very rare now), Irish travellers who in English are often called "Tinkers" and a third group of basically itinerant criminals called "Pikeys".They travel the highways and byways of merrie England camping illegally on public or private land, terrorising the local population, taking over the nearby pubs and generally causing trouble whilst they carry on with their more traditional pursuits of begging and stealing.Eventually they move on or are moved on leaving piles of rotting garbage (you could clearly see this towards the end of the film) for someone else to clear up. That community is what this film is about.I cannot think of a less edifying subject for a film.Are we supposed to empathise with this group of nomadic miscreants perhaps seeing something noble in their total disregard for law and order and other peoples wellbeing? Are they the modern hunter-gatherers of society turning their backs on a corrupt system and preferring to live a life free from other people's rules like working for a living and paying taxes? I neither know nor care.A totally misconceived and egotistical dog's breakfast of a film giving the audience nothing for their money.Perhaps the director once bought a sprig of heather from a woman in a straw hat and colourful clothing - " It will bring you luck dearie"- and thought it would be a good idea to make a film about these lovely people.The accent which gave people a lot of trouble is what we call in England "West Country" - basically the counties of Devon and Cornwall. A broad west country accent is difficult to understand even for the English so I don't know how they would expect the rest of the world to cope with it- utter stupidity. Incidentally Gleeson's accent was authentic most of the time save for the occasional trip back to Dublin but Fassbender absolutely nailed it. You might say that this is what you would expect from an actor with his talents but for a man from Heidelberg it was a truly remarkable feat.When I started this review I intended to give it a 2 but I have decided to give it 3 because the sun is shining today.

This review of Trespass Against Us is spoiler free** (2/5)IN MANY WAYS, Trespass Against Us is an optimistic film implementing the gravitas of family values through three generations of Irish travellers. A narcissistic Christian father Colby Cutler (Brian Gleeson), he gives advice to the other members, his life values are inherited into Chad (Michael Fassbender) who lived under his father's shadow, which is influenced into the young eyes of his son Tyson (Georgie Smith).Opening firmly with Tyson, Chad, and his father enjoying hare coursing. We learn here that Colby, will do anything to keep his family together he won't let them leave with his vice-like grip on them. He gives Chad jobs he doesn't want to do which gets him in a lot of trouble with typical police baddie Rory Kinnear. This ends up in turmoil for him and his family as he is constantly getting arrested, until his wife (Marshall) decides that she has had enough of Colby's ways she wants out.This brings emotional heft as Colby tries his best to try and teach her that this is best for her family, he also preachers to her that the world is flat and there is no-where to go, but she ignores this and goes for it anyway. Unfortunately what she doesn't expect is that Chad is on another one of Colby's organised jobs, such as thievery, leading her to disbelieve in him. Colby will do anything to keep them together, even if that means threatening. The film get's progressively worse as the pacing begins to get shaky there are moments when it feels slower than it should and a couple of scenes that outstay there welcome. However, it's not all bad as the performances by the two main stars are the heft with this, in addition there is also a shining set-piece involving a painted yellow Fiat Punto speeding through the streets of the closest town. Also first-time filmmaker Adam Smith adds some pathos here, when we learn that Chad will do literally anything to make his kids happy even if that means breaking and entering to steal an innocent animal for his son's birthday. Sadly as much as it tries to add the emotional heft of togetherness there is one thing on our minds heading to the final moments, as we don't fully learn what the film's title Trespass Against Us really means, it's hard to understand what kind of message this film is firmly sending, seemingly it sends the in-depth message of family - perhaps sending one of learning to let go from those you love, whatever it is, it's not here. VERDICT: A horribly put-together British crime-drama with a thin plot that even the performances can't save.

This film tells the story of an outcast criminal family, who lives in a trailer park somewhere in the United Kingdom. The main character's life is plagued with problems, as they have a controlling father, a mentally challenged brother and two children who grow up under a dubious environment."Tresspass Against Us" reminds me of "Captain Fantastic" because of their outcast status and unconventional lifestyle and the focus on the effect on the children's lives. "Tresspass Against Us" tells a more diverse story, as the entire family structure contribute equally to the story. Despite the mostly small time criminality and their obvious disrespect for the authorities, I still have developed much sympathy towards the family's hardship and challenges. I am touched by the Kel' determination for the children to be in school, and by the memorable ending. It is sad that the downfall is brought on by a human trait other than serious criminality. I find this film charming and engaging.