The Mustang (2019)

Stories that wrestle with the unforgivable are challenging but necessary. Centering at the heart of a story someone who has done something terrible is challenging. Perhaps we want to honor their victims but not centering the perpetrator. Perhaps we can't bring ourselves to acknowledge the humanity of the evildoer so we don't have to see how close to them we come. Perhaps the hurt is so strong we can't deal with what comes next and just need to leave it all behind.

The Mustang is a story about a man who committed a horrible assault. It's about him finding some purpose beyond that moment. It is about the kind of emotions that contribute to making such an assault possible. It is about finding connection with another living thing. About being living a life in containment. It is about truly difficult things.

Writer/director Clermont-Tonnerre tells her story beautifully. She has a natural eye for beautiful film making if this debut is any indication. This is a story set in a very small setting, a dirty dusty dull one, and she finds gorgeousness in it. Also she tells her story effectively and efficiently. So much emotion is packed into these 96 minutes. I can't wait to see what's on her docket next.

Matthias Schoenaerts gives a breakthrough performance here as our protagonist Roman. His journey, covered quickly here in this shorter movie, is complex and detailed. He gives a rich turn and is mesmerizing to watch. Often having played villains before he brings that gravitas to this role and infuses so much into his character.

This is one of the gems that easy to miss but once found is so rewarding.

The Mustang
Starring: Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Mitchell, Bruce Dern, Connie Britton
Director: Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
Writers: Mona Fastvold, Brock Norman Brock, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre