Welcome back for the newest addition to our Review Stew! This week I get to cross a movie off of my personal watchlist. We have a crime caper with Brendan Gleeson and Cillian Murphy, that alone would be enough to hook most people. So let’s dive in and see what Perrier’s Bounty (2009) is all about.
Title: Perrier’s Bounty
Director: Ian Fitzgibbon
Released: September 11, 2009 (Canada)
Runtime: 1 hour 28 minutes
Available to stream on: Peacock and Tub
Michael (Cillian Murphy) is a bit of a lowlife who finds himself €1,000 in debt to a local gang boss with a violent streak, Perrier (Brendan Gleeson). Time is running out for Michael to pay off his debt in order, if he fails to do so, he dies.
Two of Perrier’s goons are on their way to send a message to Michael when his neighbor, Brenda (Jodie Whittaker), winds up saving his life. As it turns out, she stole Michael’s pistol in order to commit suicide but before she could, she saves Michael’s life by killing one of the goons before he can shatter Michael’s leg.
If Michael didn’t have enough going on, his father, Jim (Jim Broadbent), reveals that he is dying of terminal cancer.
Now with his neighbor and dying father along for the ride, Michael is on the run and determined to stay alive. But when word of Perrier’s bounty on them begins to spread, will it prove to be too much of an uphill battle?
Perrier’s Bounty (2009) is the poster child for decent movies that will wind up being mostly forgettable.
The story itself is about as paint-by-numbers as you could get. It follows a predictable pattern and it is fairly easy to pick up on where things are going. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t also enjoyable.
For instance, the cinematography from DP Seamus Deasy really helps to draw you in. The way he frames the gritty backgrounds with hues of blue paint the picture of a seedy Irish underbelly. Despite there not being a lot of violence, you feel like there could be danger lurking behind every corner.
While the cinematography is a bright spot, it’s the performances that really steal the show. You can just tell that everyone from top to bottom on the call sheet is genuinely enjoying themselves. Seeing them feed off of each other’s enjoyment and give their all to the underwhelming script is what makes Perrier’s Bounty (2009) a genuinely enjoyable watch.
Is this something that you’ll rush to revisit or think about weeks after you’ve watched it? More than likely, no.
That being said, Perrier’s Bounty (2009) is definitely worthy of at least one viewing.
Well, now it’s your turn. Have you seen Perrier’s Bounty (2009)?
If so, drop a comment below or reach out to me on Bluesky and let me hear your thoughts!
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