Dom Hemingway - Yet more ‘thugging up’

Ben Kingsley did it in ‘Sexy Beast,’ Tom Hardy did it in ‘Bronson’ and now Jude Law ‘thugs up’ in Dom Hemingway. And as most will be aware, Law is best known for his dramatic performances, where he plays softer, more gentile characters. Therefore, you can’t blame him for wanting to try something a little different. Here, in ‘Dom Hemingway’ he plays the titular role of a convict released from prison and attempting to get back into his old ways.

Now, if you read any of the publicity for the film, you’ll keep seeing the phrase ‘larger than life’ used to describe Jude Law’s character. That, in my opinion is a very kind use of language. I would describe the character of Dom Hemingway as ‘loud, foul-mouthed and very annoying.’

I have nothing against bad or offensive leading characters/antiheros, but Hemingway is just too unlikeable to feel anything for. He just lurches from one scene to the next where he goes in, acts nice and friendly, only to degenerate into swearing loudly at someone or cracking their head open.

Fair play to Jude Law – he plays the part of a horrible character well. However, his character would be better suited as the ‘bad guy’ in a film, rather than someone we’re supposed to like. The film got me thinking of ‘Layer Cake’ where Daniel Craig was the ‘hero’ despite being a drug dealer and criminal in general. However, despite his dodgy lifestyle, he was well-mannered and decent and therefore a lot easier to think of as a hero.

Fans of Jude Law will appreciate the performance he gives. However, I can’t see many people actually ‘liking’ the character he plays, which is a shame, because the character of ‘Dom Hemingway’ would probably be perfect as the villain in some sort of British gangster movie directed by Guy Richie.

4/10 You can watch this film while you're doing the ironing (you'll still get the general gist of it)