The Rover - B-

Rated R, 102 minutes

"The Rover" dark, depressing yet intriguing post-apocalyptic tale

"The Rover" is not a film for everyone. It's moody, downbeat and moves slowly at times, and though flawed, its "Mad Max" overtones and the leads chemistry helps make the film watchable. The movie, filmed in and set in post-apocalyptic Australia follows hardened loner Eric (Guy Pearce) as he travels the desolate towns and roads of the outback. When a gang of thieves steals his car they leave behind a wounded Rey ("Twilight's" Robert Pattinson) in their wake. Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that still matters to him. Directed, written and co-produced by David Michod in a follow-up to his 2010 stylized mobster hit "Animal Kingdom," "The Rover" is an intriguing, original and quite dusty post-apoclyptic tale, just know going into it that it's not exactly the most uplifting film of late. Maybe pair this with a double feature like the recent comic hit "22 Jump Street" to effectively balance your moods out. The dour, sometimes erratic pacing and tone is balanced by some electric scenes of blood and violence that reminds of "Mad Max." It also helps that Pearce and Pattinson make for one of the most unconventional cinematic teams of late, with Pattinson in particular an odd-casting choice (not to mention the inexplicable Southern white trash accent he uses in the midst of Australia) though it works well particularly in the last act. Michod's crime drama "Animal Kingdom," which also featured Pearce, is better than this depressing, futuristic movie, but the Australian-produced "The Rover" is worth a look with some nicely handled, albeit dark moments that add a little flavor to an otherwise down-and-dirty movie that not everyone will enjoy.

Wes's Grade: B-