The Big Ugly

The Big Ugly from 2020, directed by Scott Wiper, is a gripping American-British action thriller centered on elements of organized crime, family dynamics, and uncompromised masculinity. The film features a star-studded cast led by Vinnie Jones, Malcolm McDowell, and Ron Perlman, who brilliantly bring their characters to life in a rugged, rustic West Virginian setting.

At the center of the plot is Neelyn (played by Vinnie Jones), a British criminal enforcer who holds a reputation of fear and respect in London's underworld. He possesses an unswerving loyalty to his crime boss and surrogate father, Harris, effectively played by Malcolm McDowell. In the opening scenes, we are introduced to a clandestine meeting between Harris and Preston (Ron Perlman), an American oilman from West Virginia, where a multi-million dollar laundering scheme takes shape, linking these two disparate worlds together.

Emotions and stakes get personal when Fiona, Neelyn's long-time girlfriend, who travels with him to West Virginia, suddenly disappears. The last person she was seen with is Junior, Preston's unruly son. Neelyn, known for his ruthless nature, finds himself on a relentless pursuit for answers, deeply suspicious about Junior's involvement in his girlfriend's mysterious disappearance.

This disappearance introduces an unexpected wrinkle, complicating both the business transaction and the father-son relationships at the core of the narrative. With his relentless performance, Jones impresses as a man propelled by anger, sorrow, and a primal urge for justice.

From this point onwards, The Big Ugly evolves into a high-stakes, intense thriller. As Neelyn delves deeper into the underbelly of West Virginia and the activities of those around him, he confronts not only others but also himself in a world that redefines power and trust. The Big Ugly is a film about crime, but ultimately, it’s about relationships, retribution, and the limits of loyalty, both shared by bitter alliances and blood ties.

Another noteworthy performance comes from Ron Perlman, who encapsulates the perfect mixture of arrogance, charm, and maliciousness required to portray the oil tycoon Preston. His portrayal, combined with the stellar performances by Jones and McDowell, elevates the dialogue-driven script. Pearlman's Preston is a complex villain, successfully making the audience both despise and sympathize with him at different points in the story.

The director, Scott Wiper, known for his work in action movies, shifts gears with The Big Ugly in an attempt to balance thrilling action sequences with dramatic character development. And, to a great extent, he accomplishes this objective. As the film progresses, viewers find themselves drawn deeper not only into the escalating conflict but also into the characters’ emotional landscapes.

Character layers are slowly peeled back, unveiling surprising depth to these macho, dangerous characters. There's a subtle beauty in these flawed, rugged characters. Wiper has successfully created a mood piece, utilizing the characters and setting to craft a visually compelling narrative that captivates throughout its runtime.

The Big Ugly, while taking a novel approach to the genre, respects the conventions of the action thriller, delivering high-energy confrontations, pulse-pounding scenes, and satisfactory arcs for its central characters. The beautiful but desolate backdrop of West Virginia’s wilderness adds an aesthetic appeal, painting a quiet yet powerful ambiance that complements the overarching themes of the movie smoothly.

The Big Ugly is a movie that grips and captures the attention of its audience. It is powered by strong performances from its main cast and intelligently navigates through its narrative, creating an intense, suspenseful atmosphere. It takes its time, building a complex mix of action, suspense, and emotional stakes. The Big Ugly, in the end, is no ordinary action film but one that sketches out an intriguing tale of crime, loyalty, and retribution in a relentless quest for justice.