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First time feature-film director Adam Smith establishes much in the opening minutes of the movie.

Our first image has the camera on the heels of a bullet-fast hare being chased and running for it's life through an endless meadow. Chasing, it seems, is a way of life for the backwoods thieving Cutler clan who we're about to meet.

The local British constabulary is usually doing the pursuing.

Chad Cutler (Michael Fassbender) squirms under the thumb of Colby, his domineering father, whose never-ending lifestyle of thievery sees no happy end. With a brother already trapped in prison, Chad looks at his young impressionable son and wonders whether he can offer him a different future.

To create a different path he must reassess Colby as a role model, and contemplate the unimaginable… to trespass against his father's wishes and put his own young family's well-being above the clan's. Ensuring an education – something his father denied him – seems to be the only escape route for his children's otherwise ill-fated future.

Colby, played by the indomitable Brendan Gleeson, is an uneducated patriarch whose limited worldview is a creeping cause for concern. His knack for planning successful robberies is now questionable, and he senses growing desperation and worry since it's become apparent his schemes are outdated and flawed. But knowing no other way of life, he hangs on, using whatever resources he can to keep his son, Chad, with him.

Michael Fassbender is an extremely talented actor and makes a powerful presence on the screen. Through him we witness Chad's struggle to be a dutiful son, loving husband and responsible father. With no formal schooling, no ability to read or write, his strongest skill is seen behind the wheel of a car in hot pursuit, he wrestles to make a choice on what kind of future he can offer his young family.

My rating: 76 /100

20 /25 – Overall

11 /15 – Directing

12 /15 – Acting

13 /15 – Cinematography (colour, angle, camera position)

06 /10 – Editing (rhythm, pace)

08 /10 – Script (dialogue, storyline)

06 /10 – Music/score (sound foley, costume, make-up casting)

This film tells the story of an outcast criminal family, who lives in a trailer park somewhere in the United Kingdom. The main character's life is plagued with problems, as they have a controlling father, a mentally challenged brother and two children who grow up under a dubious environment.

"Tresspass Against Us" reminds me of "Captain Fantastic" because of their outcast status and unconventional lifestyle and the focus on the effect on the children's lives. "Tresspass Against Us" tells a more diverse story, as the entire family structure contribute equally to the story. Despite the mostly small time criminality and their obvious disrespect for the authorities, I still have developed much sympathy towards the family's hardship and challenges. I am touched by the Kel' determination for the children to be in school, and by the memorable ending. It is sad that the downfall is brought on by a human trait other than serious criminality. I find this film charming and engaging.

Trepass against us, presented at the Toronto Film Festival in 2016, would like to tell so much, without however having the time and the tools to do so. It is unclear what theme the film is about to focus on. The spectator is confronted with the difficulties of nomadic life, father-son relationship, education and redemption, without however finding the time to immerse himself completely in any of them. The film, and often the spectator, feels the weight of two figures, such as Fassbender and Gleeson, who cover the roles of Chad and Colby. It would be understandable if one doubted that the two of were involved in the project to give him a boost (perhaps it needed it) rather than believing that their characters were so articulated that they needed the two actors' talent. Director Adam Smith, at his debut, is capable of talking about chases, sequences of action, and some hint of gangster comedy. It gives the movie adrenaline and the elements to be watchable, but not more than that. Often you are wondering why what you see is so as it is, as you are thinking that some characters have nothing to do with the world they live in. For example Chad. This is due to the rush of the director to arrive at the clue of the story, related to the characterization of the characters, which if is not flat, is mainstream and even trivial. This does not mean that the film is not touching, but it is less reflective than it should, and perhaps it would want to be.

Michael Fassbender and Brendan Gleeson team up as a father and son criminal team with Gleeson being the brains, while Fassbender doing all the leg work. Gleeson as Colby is so deep in the game that he knows nothing else and refuses anything else, an attitude he expects from his son Chad, played by Fassbender but Chad has enough of a foot outside the game to know that he desperately does not want his young son Tyson to follow down this bloodline, even if Colby sees nothing wrong with the hand Jesus gave him (Colby is a God loving crook).

The film is about Chad being stuck in his outlaw life style. He wants it to be over but he has no options as he can't read or write, which blows my mind that a man in this day and age has no grasp at all of the language he's speaking, but it happens, and he's doing everything he can to make sure his son is educated.

One really cool thing I should mention about the film is the fact that it has some really awesome car chases in it. Not the main purpose of the film but Fassbender does play a getaway driver and his getaway driving was great.

It's a great performance piece coming from all the actors with Fassbender and Gleeson leading the charge. It really has that going for it as it's very small and really sweet and met to hit a nerve with those who know what it's like to be stuck and want better but just seem incapable of doing it.

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This review of Trespass Against Us is spoiler free

** (2/5)

IN MANY WAYS, Trespass Against Us is an optimistic film implementing the gravitas of family values through three generations of Irish travellers. A narcissistic Christian father Colby Cutler (Brian Gleeson), he gives advice to the other members, his life values are inherited into Chad (Michael Fassbender) who lived under his father's shadow, which is influenced into the young eyes of his son Tyson (Georgie Smith).

Opening firmly with Tyson, Chad, and his father enjoying hare coursing. We learn here that Colby, will do anything to keep his family together he won't let them leave with his vice-like grip on them. He gives Chad jobs he doesn't want to do which gets him in a lot of trouble with typical police baddie Rory Kinnear. This ends up in turmoil for him and his family as he is constantly getting arrested, until his wife (Marshall) decides that she has had enough of Colby's ways she wants out.

This brings emotional heft as Colby tries his best to try and teach her that this is best for her family, he also preachers to her that the world is flat and there is no-where to go, but she ignores this and goes for it anyway. Unfortunately what she doesn't expect is that Chad is on another one of Colby's organised jobs, such as thievery, leading her to disbelieve in him. Colby will do anything to keep them together, even if that means threatening. The film get's progressively worse as the pacing begins to get shaky there are moments when it feels slower than it should and a couple of scenes that outstay there welcome.

However, it's not all bad as the performances by the two main stars are the heft with this, in addition there is also a shining set-piece involving a painted yellow Fiat Punto speeding through the streets of the closest town. Also first-time filmmaker Adam Smith adds some pathos here, when we learn that Chad will do literally anything to make his kids happy even if that means breaking and entering to steal an innocent animal for his son's birthday.

Sadly as much as it tries to add the emotional heft of togetherness there is one thing on our minds heading to the final moments, as we don't fully learn what the film's title Trespass Against Us really means, it's hard to understand what kind of message this film is firmly sending, seemingly it sends the in-depth message of family - perhaps sending one of learning to let go from those you love, whatever it is, it's not here.

VERDICT: A horribly put-together British crime-drama with a thin plot that even the performances can't save.