Film Review – The Big Ugly (2020)

THE BIG UGLY stars Vinnie Jones (Snatch, Gone in 60 Seconds), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy), and Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, Halloween). The film is written, directed, and produced by Scott Wiper (The Condemned) with Vinnie Jones also serving as producer. Also starring Nicholas Braun (Succession, How To Be Single), Leven Rambin (The Hunger Games, Percy Jackson: Seas of Monsters), Bruce McGill (Lincoln, National Lampoon’s Animal House), Lenora Crichlow (Fast Girls, Deception) and Joelle Carter (Justified, High Fidelity).

Synopsis
Neeyln (Vinnie Jones) has always been the loyal enforcer for crime boss Harris (Malcolm McDowell) back in London, taking care of problems and people that disrupt his illicit business. When Harris strikes a deal with an old friend – American oilman Preston (Ron Perlman) – they find themselves in the wild hills of West Virginia. Contracts are signed and the whiskey flows in celebration, but overnight Neelyn’s girlfriend disappears, last seen with Preston’s wayward son Junior. Lines are drawn between family and friends, but nothing will stop Neelyn from getting answers — and retribution.

Review
It doesn’t take long for Vinnie Jones to be in a bar fight!

But this film is not your usual ‘hard man Vinnie’ swearing and headbutting everyone that annoys him. This is so much more, and for once I’d love to have seen the character “Preston Junior” get headbutted so hard!

Neelyn’s girlfriend of 6 years goes missing and is found the next day by Neelyn floating in a river. It’s very clear early on that Preston’s son Junior killed her. The man treats women like dirt, having already slept with Harris’ wife he makes a play for Neelyn’s girlfriend but when she refuses, he drugs and kills her.

The film then follows Neelyn on his fury-fuelled journey to seek Junior out and kill him, but it comes with so much complication! Harris can not allow Neelyn to kill Junior due to the new contract he has with Preston. Preston finds out about Junior and will “deal with it” while Neelyn doesn’t care about any of that – he wants blood. Junior’s blood.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so frustrated with a character! Junior is a piece of work, he’s sleeping and killing women, he’s beating Neelyn black and blue, that’s right, Neelyn is not so tough and Junior puts him on the floor!

At one point you just think this guy is going to get away with murder! That he’s going to take out Neelyn and Will then sleep and probably kill Will’s girlfriend Kara! He is THAT vile!

The film is good, but I do feel there are a few dead/slow spots but I think this is to build up tension.

It’s a film that ends but you’re left replaying it over in your mind for days later. It will get varied reviews I’m sure depending on what you are expecting from it. Don’t expect “Big Chris” to show up, this is a very different Vinnie Jones!

Action, Drama | USA, 2020 | 15 | Digital HD | 24th July 2020 (UK) | Dir.Scott Wiper | Vinny Jones, Leven Rambin, Ron Perlman, Malcolm McDowell, Bruce McGill, Nicolas Braun, Elyse Levesque

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Rachael Jess

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