I’ve been meaning to write a review of Bellflower for a minute now, but I really didn’t like it and haven’t been able muster the enthusiasm to critique it. You should see it solely for the badass car and flamethrower created by the filmmakers, but the film itself is dull and repetitive. The only aspect I was eager to write about was the film’s portrayal of masculinity – a subject usually treated by the media transparently as “sensitive pussy” vs. “meathead misogynist.”Lucky for me I watched Bullhead; a crime drama from Belgium that is way better than Bellflower and kicks the stereotypes of masculinity right in its swollen nuts.

Matthias Schoenaerts (who underwent a huge physical transformation for the role) plays cattle farmer Jacky Vanmarsenille, a young man with a disturbing past. To compensate for a tragic event that happened when he was a kid, Jacky pumps himself daily with illegal hormones, much like his family does to the cattle on their farm. Jacky’s a not-so-gentle giant whose screen presence is almost frightening – he ‘s like a huge stick of dynamite filled with testosterone.

The Vanmarsenille family is a player in Belgium illegal hormone trade – the “Hormone Mafia” it’s referred to in the film. One of the cattle suppliers was recently taken out by police, so the Vanmarsenille family has an opportunity to move up the ladder. But the mafia rep who comes to negotiate with the Vanmarsenilles is tied into Jacky’s childhood tragedy. Jacky’s also been psuedo-stalking his childhood love, Lucia. All of these players from Jacky’s past begin to turn the wheel of disaster and no matter how much he juices up, Jacky is powerless to stop fate.

The entire cast is great, but Jacky is the nucleus of the film. In the opening scene we’re introduced to him as a huge brute who uses intimidation to keep people buying Vanmarsenille cattle. But as the film progresses, especially during the flashbacks, our perception of Jacky drastically changes. He becomes this complex, tragic figure overcompensating for his past. I keep referring to the “tragic event” of his past, but I won’t spoil what it is. Schoenaerts’ performance is absolutely mesmerizing and one of the best I’ve seen this year.

Writer-director Michael Roskam has crafted a complex and layered crime story on one level, with a deep examination of masculinity (shit, even humanity) on another level. Every guy knows manhood is achingly complex, a fuzzy concept that changes with each generation. Roskam understands this and uses the character of Jacky to exam masculinity out of control. Aided by the riveting performance of Matthias Schoenaerts, Bullhead is a compelling and powerful film.

Bullhead was recently picked up Drafthouse Films for U.S. distribution, so expect a limited theatrical release. Bullhead is Belgium’s official 2012 Oscar candidate.

- Oh Mars