Bruiser (2000), dir. George A. Romero, Le Studio Canal+/Barenholtz Productions/Romero-Grunwald Productions
So another year ends, each closing of the door seemingly being the last but before we go, how about some George Romero?
Henry Creedlow (Jason Flemyng) isn't a happy fellow. His job title is creative director at the Bruiser magazine but his role seems to be office whipping boy. His boss Milo (Peter Stormare) seems to take delight in humiliating him on the regular, while Henry's wife Janine (Nina Garbiras) is pretty much a wife in name only. Not surprising that Henry's daydreams all involve either homicide or suicide.
They have a blow up after a party at Milo's house. Milo's wife Rosie (Leslie Hope) makes Henry a blank white mask, but Henry can't seem to come up with an idea for the paint scheme. Rosie puts it in her 'garden of lost souls' while Henry catches Janine with Milo.
Waking up the next morning, Henry finds his face is now the mask from the party. While he is puzzling over this, he spies his housekeeper Katie (Beatriz Pizano) helping herself to some silverware. He confronts her by which I mean beats her to death with the stolen goods.
Feeling pretty good about himself for the first time in a while, Henry bops over to work. Rosie has caught Milo in a rather compromising position with Janine and while he chases after her to get the camera, Henry confronts his wife, by which I mean wraps a cord around her neck and chucks her out the window.
Detective McCleary (Tom Atkins) is on the case though. As Henry makes his list and checks it twice will he get his face back?
Overall good and Romero's first feature film since the 90's. The performances are all wonderful, with Flemyng being perfect as the murderous milksop, but the story is a bit a let down. Tred upon fellow gets revenge is a fine but the film doesn't really do anything with the idea that hasn't already been tackled before, although Henry have 'no face' is a nice visual.
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