There is no doubt that Russell Crowe is a great actor, but I have always been more of a fan of his work where he gets to cut loose in films such as Gladiator, Man With The Iron Fists and Romper Stomper. His latest film Unhinged, looks to be more of the same crazed fun co-starring Caren Pistorius, Gabriel Bateman, Jimmi Simpson, and Austin P. McKenzie. Could this film live up to the promised insanity of it all or will it be nothing more than an aggressive traffic stop?  

 

Unhinged follows Rachel who is running late to work when she has an altercation at a traffic light with a stranger whose life has left him feeling powerless and invisible. Soon, Rachel finds herself and everyone she loves the target of a man who decides to make one last mark upon the world by teaching her a series of deadly lessons. What follows is a dangerous game of cat and mouse that proves you never know just how close you are to someone who is about to become unhinged. 

 

Right out of the gate it lets you know that Crowe’s character is off his rocker. I love that they don’t hide that he is already a bad guy that has done bad things and likely headed for more before he encounters Rachel. From there it drags a bit as it sets up the other characters and the chance encounter where it all goes wrong. Thankfully this doesn’t take too long and once it gets going rarely lets up. It’s kind of a silly catalyst of an expected apology in a road rage situation that causes it all, but the smart addition of Crowe’s insanity makes it work.

 

This is a loud and intense movie that is very violent from people being run over to beaten badly. The mix of the sound mix, music and intensity makes it cringe worthy at times without being overly gory too often. Crowe is in full on bat shit crazy mode and looking to be enjoying every minute of it. He is so