Rust and Bone is part of that new genera in France where they are trying to outdo Hollywood at their own game. I think it’s all riding off the incredible success of Tell No One, but unfortunately they don’t seem to realize that aping the style of that film and its American sound track does not reproduce what made it special (the incredible story, writing, and the way its music was used.)

Rust and Bone benefits from a clever preview that makes it look like it’s all about Marion Cottilard. In fact, it’s mostly about the guy, and unfortunately he is kind of an unlikable oaf. He’s stupid, a terrible father, and he leaves his girlfriend Marion Cottilard stranded in a bar to go off and fuck some completely generic blonde bimbo, which makes him probably the biggest asshole on the planet. Compounding this problem is the lack of quality dialog (they shouldn’t have copied this feature of Hollywood films!) which is a shame because they clearly assembled a really good, low-key, talented cast that could have done something with better material. The fact is you don’t really get to know either of these people, which places a rather low ceiling on the film’s potential. Plus, his whole fighting career is a little unbelievable, frankly.

I’m not sure I can recommend this. It’s like Hollywood crap, done by French people.