Taking a page or two out of the film Fight Club, the movie Donnybrook goes all out to make their fist a cuffs one of the most brutal films in the genre. Nicely acted and directed the only negative I could find is the budget that limited the endless possibilities to make it a top contender. Now on VOD, the movie should be a treat for those how like a lot of viciousness and bedlam.
Down on his luck and having to support a wife and two children, Jarhead Earl (Jamie Bell) gets wind of a fist fight called a donnybrook with the prize being $100,000. He’s a good fighter and has the stamina to stand toe to toe in any bar brawl, but this contest has some sidebars that make it more dangerous. First it’s highly illegal as killing is a strong possibility and in order to win you have to beat everyone to near death in a makeshift cage.
But, Jarhead has a few preliminary problems that includes getting the entry fee to participate and he already has a beef with the killer Chainsaw Angus (Frank Grillo) and his nasty sister Delia (Margaret Qualleyand). Director and writer Tom Sutton lays it all out for his audience inserting a robbery, confrontations between the Angus sibs, transportation that’s working against getting him to the event and more beatings and killings on his road to Jarhead’s final confrontation.
The cast includes two very familiar stars, Jamie Bell who is terrific in the part of Jarhead who won’t back down from a fight. His performance beyond the gut wrenching bare-fisted pugilist takes a turn when he meets Delia. She’s a wicked drug dealer, but he realizes that there’s a heart under her cold sadistic frame. You should remember Jamie from films like Snowpiercer, Fantastic Four, and the TV series “Turn”.
As for Frank Grillo, who plays Chainsaw Angus, he takes his character into the dark world as a man obsessed with killing. Not just any killing, but brutal and nonsensical at times where even the most well-meaning person who tries to help him never has a chance. It’s a character that you will despise the moment Grillo brings him to the screen. Filled with hatred Angus always has a chip on his shoulder and evil in his heart. If you liked how he delivered his role in Donnybrook, then check out Reprisal, Wheelman, and his Cross Bones in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Civil War.
Donnybrook has been rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, drug use, language, and some graphic nudity. It is now out on VOD so check your local cable company for the on-demand version of the film.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A brutal film for those who like it raw. (3 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Starring: Jamie Bell, Frank Grillo, Margaret Qualleyand James Badge Dale.
Directed and written by: Tom Sutton
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R for disturbing violent and sexual content, drug use, language, and some graphic nudity
Running Time: 1 hr. 41 min.
Opening Date: February 22, 2019
Distributed by: IFC Films
Released in: VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
