Bullhead

Rundskop – BullHead – CATCH IT (A) Belgian "Rundskop" is nothing what I had expected to be a movie about a cattle farmer. It turns out to be something beyond I had ever imagined. Rundskop is about a young cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille (Matthias Schoenaerts), who is constantly pumped on steroids and hormones and initiates a shady deal with a notorious mafia in meat trader. The new set of events takes Jacky to his mysterious shocking past. To be honest even writing this gives me chills, I cannot believe what happened with him is anyway mentionable or thinkable. Rundskop features one of the most disturbing and beyond shocking scenes of the celluloid's history. After watching that it made me sick to my stomach and even now it's almost a week since I saw that but I cannot forget it. The brutality of that moment and its after effects on Jacky's life is remarkably portrayed in Rundskop. Matthias Schoenaerts as Jacky Vanmarsenille is remarkable, talk about Oscar worthy performance here. His pain, anger, loneliness and wanting to be loved can be seen through Matthias Schoenaerts's eyes and physicality. I don't have words for his performance so here is what famous critic Rodger Ebert says ""The one excellent aspect of the film is Matthias Schoenaerts' performance. We often follow him walking in a controlled lurch from side to side, as if merely walking is not enough of a challenge for him. We see his eyes, burning with pain. The film impresses because of the pain, sadness and rage contained in the title performance by Flemish actor Matthias Schoenaerts, who bulked up for the role (without steroids), and seems ready to burst from his clothes and even his skin." Te performance by all the supporting cast including young Jacky "Robin Valvekens" is admirable. In the end, Rundskop is an intense thriller/drama filled with a remarkable performance by Matthias Schoenaerts which makes me want to see all his previous and upcoming movies.

I stumbled across this movie last night, and, although I'd no idea who the director or any of the actors are, based on the reviews, and especially the trailer, I decided to take a look.

I'm both sorry and glad I did.

I think the lead actor in this movie, Matthias Schoenaerts (who, incidentally, should have been cast as Bane in Batman Rises. He IS Bane) has a bright future in Hollywood. Certainly I know I'll be checking out his other movies, now that I'm aware of him.

Bullhead constantly threw me for a loop and kept me on my toes all at the same time.

The obvious simpatico between director Michael R. Roskam and Mr. Schoenaerts is evident in the constant tension and slight unease that's able to be maintained throughout the entire movie, even during the "softer" (if you can call them that) moments of the film. The scenes of Jacky, alone in his room/apartment are very powerful.

Jacky's alienation and rage make us, the viewer both nervous, as though he'll somehow be able to reach through the screen and bring us, kicking and screaming into his brutal world, and sympathetic as we're able to see the reason for this young man's pain.

The Oscar nomination (I've forgotten if it won or not, but if it didn't it should have) was well deserved, and I look forward to great things from this wonderful young actor.

Hoss.

This is without doubt one of the best European films I've ever seen.

First of all this was a brilliant performance by Mattias Schoenaerts, his character being a man tormented by a childhood trauma that makes him withdrawn and only really relating to the animals on his farm, even through his silence you can feel the agony he goes through because of this being such a good performance by him.

Having lived on farms it is also refreshing to see a good crime film based on the countryside underworld and for it to be accurate as well to various themes of this film.

One of the only downsides to this film is that the flashbacks that occur are scattered about and can cause some confusion if your not paying full attention to the film.

However overall a great watch and it is not a surprise to see it got nominated for best foreign film of the year.

A must see - 9/10

For some reason Swedish critics gave this film very mixed reviews, ranging from lukewarm to downright negative.

Why is the biggest question for me because this film is better then it's reputation.

This belgian crimedrama introduces the viewer to the illegal use of growth hormones in the beef industry. Jacky Vanmarsenille, the main character, is a beef farmer who together with his family have been doing this for many years, buying hormones from the local mafia.

But is not just the animals who use the hormones, Jacky has been pumping himself with hormones and steroids for many years. He needs it because of a very deep dark family secret, that only he and old friend of his knows about.

When his friend reappears in his life again, Jackys life starts to unravel with tragic results...

Matthias Schoenaerts(Jacky Vanmarsenille) is simply amazing in the main lead, filling his character with a vulnerability seldom seen in crimedramas. Even though he is a muscular, threatening figure, prone to violence, the viewer feels only sympathy for him and his struggle for a decent life.

Jacky Vanmarsenille describes himself as bull, in many ways this film feels like bullfight were Jacky is a Spanish Fighting Bull waiting to meet the matadors sword.

Other fantastic performances in this film includes Jeroen Perceval as his old friend, who plays his Diederik Maes very well, a man filled with regrets and guilt but willing to good.

Jeanne Dandoy as Lucia Schepers not ready to handle the massive rage and lust from Jacky Vanmarsenille.

The sense of dread is everywhere in this film, and viewers expecting an upbeat filmexperience should stay away.

Another great thing about this film is the discussion of growth hormones, chemicals and the abuse of such. Viewers wanting to know more should see documentaries such as Food, Inc. (2008), King Corn (2007)etc.

Rundskop/Bullhead (2011)gives the illegal users a face and tells the story from the users perspective.

Viewers who liked Fingers (1978), Raging Bull (1980), Beautiful Boxer (2004)etc might want to look at this film. It deserves more viewers then some critics claim.

You do not have to be Belgian to appreciate and be an admirer of this movie. The way it is told, filmed and performed are Oscar worthy....

This the incredibly sad story of Jacky, a farmer who's whole life will be turned upside down following a dramatic and traumatising event in his youth....making him the man (or what's left of it) he is today!

It handles in a very realistic way the animal (cow-bull) drug and hormone maffia and its traffic. Following the lives of several people who are directly affected by it.

The two stories, one the telling of Jacky's way to deal with his trauma and how he suffers from it, how it affected him and the other about the hormone traffic are brilliantly melt together to a story that will leave no one insensitive!!

AMAZING!!