Dad Savage

Dad Savage is a striking and underrated British theatrical sensation that was released in 1998. The film, a fusion of the crime and drama genres, features a magnificently bald Patrick Stewart stepping away from his iconic role as Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. This time Stewart embodies the character of Dad Savage, a wealthy and eccentric flower merchant with a potent gruff exterior and a secretive lifestyle.

Based at the heart of rural Lincolnshire in England, Dad Savage prides himself on being a hardened tulip tycoon. Beneath Dad Savage's conventional, if not charming, tulip trader façade, lies a gritty underworld kill-or-be-killed context where money is more important than virtue, and loyalty can be as thin as a petal.

The film also boasts potent performances from Kevin McKidd and Helen McCrory. McKidd is the passionate and restless H, a hot-headed thug who is persistently in conflict on account of his elder's cryptic habits. McCrory, on the other hand, plays the intriguing Chris, an enigmatic figure with an unclear relationship to the Savage clan and whose objective is to extract as much as possible from it. As the plot unravels, the performances of the cast members help ignite the investigation into the complex intricacies of trust, love, and betrayal within this unique family dynamic.

The director, Betsan Morris-Evans, expertly demonstrates her prowess throughout the film, particularly in a styled opening scene that concurrently introduces us to Savage's fondness for the radio and his skills with the shotgun. After all, he isn't simply a peaceful tulip grower; he's also a closet cowboy, an enthusiast of country music, line-dancing, and Western-style justice. And it's precisely this juxtaposition of an English countryside with pulsating violent undercurrents that generates the nerve-jangling atmosphere, which makes this film a gripping watch.

Dad Savage is, with no doubt, a cat and mouse game where the prey and hunter roles reverse so frequently, it leaves the viewer questioning allegiances and second-guessing ulterior motives throughout the narrative. The screenplay is not only filled with emotive scenes that underscore the tense, high-stakes world the characters inhabit but also with thrilling moments that keep the audience on edge.

Moreover, the English countryside roots of the movie help in creating a stark contrast against the violent and gritty themes, making it visually appealing. The visual aesthetics are further heightened with the inclusion of acres of stunning red tulips set against a cloudy sky, not to mention the occasional shots of Wild West-inspired landscapes.

Adding dimension to the movie is its outstanding score. The film thrums to a country and western twang, with an atmospheric soundtrack including classics such as Johnny Cash. These thumping tunes often echo in the background, signifying imminent danger or inevitable confrontations. The well-curated mix of music in the storyline is nothing short of a cinematographic marvel, elevating the storytelling to new heights.

Dad Savage effectively stitches together themes of friendship, love, and loyalty into 104 minutes of pure movie intrigue. Despite its unusual setting and peculiar characterisation, it compellingly reveals a world of greed, deceit, and violence that lies underneath the surface. The positively intense narrative, along with excellent performances and production values, makes Dad Savage a must-watch for those who appreciate intricate story-telling and aren't afraid to wade into the bold, visually striking, yet turbulent waters.

In conclusion, Dad Savage is a thrilling exploration into the darker side of human nature, neatly disguised beneath a rural setting and presented through an eccentric protagonist. Despite Patrick Stewart's well-established credibility in the world of acting, his performance in this piece has not garnered the attention it truly deserves. For anyone seeking a dramatic crime thriller with an enduring twist and provocative plotlines, this is a film worth diving into. It is a unique, underrated gem that promises a chilling roller-coaster ride of emotions, betrayals, and vengeance. As viewers, we're complicit in this ride, making it all the more worthwhile.