The Rover

A slower and less functional affair than, for example, The Road (though similarly inhospitable, dirty, raw), its biggest flaw is that it wants to be occasionally cynical and deliberately far-fetched, but it doesn't really work. Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson are surprisingly work, but otherwise, this bizarre post-apocalyptic road movie is average and not innovative or entertaining in any way. (2015-04-15)

(49th KVIFF) The tempo is easy-going, but the atmosphere is gripping, with the dirt, the desert, the hirsute hero, the endless Australian roads, the isolated buildings and the redneck post-apocalyptic population. Pearce and Pattinson are great. And it’s got some balls, as the midget will tell you. So, pretty satisfied, though Tarantino’s hype (OMG! OMG! the best post-apocalyptic movie since Mad Max) was, as expected, exaggerated, if not downright bollocks, as it’s usual with him. The final twist is (especially for me, those who know me will understand) utterly absurd, though the protagonist’s prior behaviour gives it at least some motivation. (2014-07-08)

After my great concern, this ended up up being a very solid and slow-moving post-apocalyptic thriller with a very pissed-off Guy Pearce and a convincing performance by Robert Pattinson. I liked the occasional brutality and the host of weird inhabitants. These Final Hours was handily outclassed by The Rover, hence I'm taking out one star. 65% (2014-08-29)

Quentin Tarantino called this film the best post-apocalyptic film since the original Mad Max. And I say congratulations to David Michôd for being able to produce such a hundred-percent concentrate of first-class boredom! The Rover is a kind of self-infatuated blob in which you will wait in vain for some twist and regretfully think about Mad Max and its epic moments. At least, the final scene makes sense and prevents a total fail. But, you, Quentin, please watch your mouth! [KVIFF 2014] (2018-04-23)

The Rover is certainly an interesting film, although it heavily depends on whether you enjoy slow, contemplative movies where every second feels like it actually lasts three seconds. It drags on, but the story being told here isn't completely bad in itself. It just doesn't impress. I'm a fan of Robert Pattinson, and here he proves that he's stepped out of his box and is a capable actor. Guy Pearce proved that long ago, but he tends to play similar types of roles too often. (2014-09-18)