Henry Creedlow (Jason Flemyng) is a meek and mild type who tends to let other people take advantage of him. As this story develops, he loses his wife Janine (Nina Garbiras), his job at "Bruiser", which is apparently some sort of lifestyle magazine, and his whole identity, his normal face replaced with blank, mask like makeup. After this, Henry decides that enough is enough. He starts getting revenge on those who have wronged him, including a supposed "friend", James Larson (Andrew Tarbet), Janine, and his extravagant boss, played to the hammy hilt by Peter Stormare. Soon, detectives played by Jonathan Higgins and the eternally cool Tom Atkins pick up his trail.
This being a George A. Romero feature - and his first since the 1991 adaptation of Stephen Kings' novel "The Dark Half" - it isn't without interest. The main problem is that it does get tiring and annoying at times, especially when indulging in the eccentricities of Stormare and his decadent employees. Even so, it is amusing to see Romero inject so much blatant humour into one of his films. "Bruiser" is at its best when focusing on the torment experienced by Henry, and Flemyng is a good enough actor to both carry this film and earn some empathy. Early on we get a sense of what Henry goes through with a little fantasy sequence.
Those expecting more of a typical horror movie will likely be disappointed with this one. The body count is minimal, as well as the gore. Atkins is a joy to have on hand, as always; Stormare is very good although his character quickly wears out his welcome. Leslie Hope does a decent job as Rosemary, the boss's wife who puts up with too much of her husbands' garbage.
An okay watch overall, but it does earn an extra point for the concert performance by legendary horror / punk band The Misfits, who figure prominently on the soundtrack.
Six out of 10.
This being a George A. Romero feature - and his first since the 1991 adaptation of Stephen Kings' novel "The Dark Half" - it isn't without interest. The main problem is that it does get tiring and annoying at times, especially when indulging in the eccentricities of Stormare and his decadent employees. Even so, it is amusing to see Romero inject so much blatant humour into one of his films. "Bruiser" is at its best when focusing on the torment experienced by Henry, and Flemyng is a good enough actor to both carry this film and earn some empathy. Early on we get a sense of what Henry goes through with a little fantasy sequence.
Those expecting more of a typical horror movie will likely be disappointed with this one. The body count is minimal, as well as the gore. Atkins is a joy to have on hand, as always; Stormare is very good although his character quickly wears out his welcome. Leslie Hope does a decent job as Rosemary, the boss's wife who puts up with too much of her husbands' garbage.
An okay watch overall, but it does earn an extra point for the concert performance by legendary horror / punk band The Misfits, who figure prominently on the soundtrack.
Six out of 10.