Tom Hardy Delivers A Knockout Performance!

Rating: 6/10 (29 August 2015)

Based on Tom Rob Smith's 2008 novel of the same name, 'Child 44' is a yet another showcase of Tom Hardy's excellence. The supremely talented actor is in complete show-stealing mode here, delivering a knockout performance from start to end.
'Child 44' Synopsis: A disgraced member of the military police investigates a series of nasty child murders during the Stalin-era Soviet Union.
'Child 44' is strictly an okay film, though. While its beautifully Directed by Daniel Espinosa & Photographed by Philippe Rousselot, this mystery-thriller still fails to mesmerize you. Reason? Richard Price's Adapted Screenplay, which ranges from riveting to plain dull. I did get goosebumps in some sequences, especially in the film's intriguing first-hour, but was mostly bored in its dull second-hour. Also, the final-act doesn't work. 'Child 44' had all the makings of becoming an instant classic, but what is eventually served, despite a few genuinely terrific moments, is an average fare, at best.
Performance-Wise: As mentioned right from my summary, Tom Hardy has topped himself, yet again! With his flawless Russian accent to perfect body language, Hardy proves that he's the best in the business today, among his contemporaries. Noomi Rapace is competent, as always. Gary Oldman is adequate. Joel Kinnaman isn't menacing enough, while Vincent Cassel seems to have done his bit in a massive hurry. Jason Clarke is wasted.
On the whole, 'Child 44' isn't half as good as it deserved to be, but for Hardy alone, I'd recommend you to watch this film.