OBSESSIVE DEVELOPMENT – Movie Review of “MUSCLE”
‘MUSCLE’ tells the story of Simon Barrett (Cavan Clerkin), an unsuccessful telemarketer (calling himself a Promotional manager) who we become acquainted to, through witnessing his incompetence in sales. He is rather meek and lowly, clearly unsatisfied with his job and in an unhappy relationship with his wife, Sarah (Polly Maberly).
Although there are snippets of affection between the two, it is evident that their marriage is falling apart. Simon, for all intents and purposes, is in somewhat of a mid-life crisis, and as he aimlessly wanders he finds a gym called ‘Atlantis’ which piques his interest. The gym becomes a place where he finds some solace from his unhappy existence, but no sooner than a few sessions in, he is introduced to the boorish and aggressive Terry (Craig Fairbrass). Terry immediately chastises Simon, yet also offers to train him all within the initial confronting introduction; and though initially hesitant, Simon accepts and soon begins his initiation into gym culture.
As he slowly immerses himself in the routine of the training and nutrition, he not only improves himself physically but also emotionally. Looking and feeling better, his confidence vastly increases and soon he is excelling in his telemarketing role, exceeding beyond targets and his own peers. Through Terry’s mentoring Simon has regained his renewed vigor, and he starts to achieve. He quickly alters his appears from a balding, overweight and beta-male to something more akin to a cage fighter, with a shaved head, improved physique and a fearsome looking beard.
Yet it’s all a complicated balancing act, and evidently his investment in himself did not include that of his own matrimony which soon ends abruptly. Sarah’s exit, understandably leaves Simon in a state of disarray and somewhat foolishly he reveals his woes to Terry who quickly sees this as an opportunity. Simon reluctantly allows his trainer to become a lodger, and Terry makes himself more than at home throwing a house warming party on the evening of his arrival. At is at this juncture, are many of our initial suspicions about Terry are confirmed; this type of house party become more frequent, with the levels of debauchery ever increasing. Additionally, he compels Simon to engage in performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and this does not bode well for Simon, who loses his job after a violent and rage filled outburst. Even to the untrained eye, one would immediately see that Terry is unlikeable, and has a clear sinister agenda from the outset that quickly dismantles his client’s life and freely allows it to spiral out of control.
Whilst Terry is established as a villain early on in the film, the narrative is so cleverly composed that any shifts in tones or story twists are completely unexpected. Like David Sumner in Straw Dogs, Simon Barrett is another beta male turned unlikely hero although as the film progressed the confrontation between the two, seems only teased and suggested. Knowing the type of person Terry is, it is easy to not only root for Simon but also feel a sense of impending doom. There is a growing escalation in the tension, as stakes are increased; and our protagonist finds himself not only living with an unhinged lodger but also having to deal with Terry’s questionable set of colleagues.
The extent to which this whole saga escalates is truly something brilliant, as neither the characters nor the story ever meander into a state of monotony. The feeling of tension established early on, does very easily glue the viewer to the screen. Although the story and characters are compelling, there were moments of absolute gratuitousness that certainly surprised but were not absolutely necessary to include. The nudity and sex scenes were very graphic and certainly did achieve a shock value, though seemingly would be more appropriate for an exploitation film and not a well-crafted indie movie, such as this.
Cavan Clerkin was that classic everyman in his portrayal as Simon, a tragic figure whose own insecurities were too easily exploited by a vicious psychopath. Clerkin has had a notable film and TV career, and he was immediately recognizable from one his roles in the excellent comedy series ‘The Inbetweeners.’ Somewhat ironically and in clear contrast to his role in Muscle, Clerkin played a boorish bully who victimizes Will McKenzie during work experience. Evidently, Clerkin has a great depth of character and is a skilled actor. On the other hand, Craig Fairbrass provides an intimidating performance as Terry, who is menacing and nasty. Fairbrass, film and TV resume is even more extensive ranging from ‘Cliffhanger’ with Sly Stallone to ‘Avengement’ with Scott Adkins; and even roles in revered TV series such as ‘The Bill’ and ‘Eastenders.’
As someone who has written extensively and professionally within the sport of bodybuilding, fitness and gyms I was initially offended by the way this culture was negatively portrayed in the film. Although roid-rage exists, it certainly is not so prevalent to the extent that mainstream media showcases it, hence Simon’s violent outburst (post PED) seemed ham-fisted at best. However, delving deeper into the film it was evident that the gym culture serves only as a vehicle and not a focal point or absolute thematic element. This is a movie NOT about gyms, but rather of how quickly one can lose control if one fails to vet strangers or undertake simple due diligence. The film was reminiscent of other great thrillers in the same style, such as ‘Single White Female’ or ‘Fear’
Given Terry’s motives, Johnson could could easily have entitled this film “Hustle.”
The black and white sepia tone washed over the entire film, with not a hint a colour in any scene. This seems to add to the oppressive and bleak feeling that emanates across the entire story, thus we the audience experience a sense of dread just as the protagonist is also wrestling with this emotions as well a clear and present danger.
Gerard Johnson has managed to craft one of the most unsettling movies of recent memory, illustrating human fragility and how easily predators can manipulate this to suit their own twisted agenda. This is a captivating thriller, that comes highly recommended.
*Special thanks to Mike Fury and Dazzler Media for providing me exclusive access. MUSCLE is now available on DVD and Digital in the UK.
Vance Ang has primarily been professionally published in bodybuilding and fitness since 2005, having written extensively for hardcopy publications such as Australian IRONMAN and FLEX; but also for e-publications such as RAW Muscle and more recently the media platform, The Evolution of Bodybuilding. He is a Melbourne based policy and strategy consultant currently undertaking his post graduate study in Law. In addition to bodybuilding, conservative politics and Savate (French Kickboxing), he has long been a fan of movies and cinema of all genres – subsequently prompting an interest in modern story telling, that being script writing. He is in the process of writing his first horror novel ‘Providence’