Bloodshed and bondage drive this crime thriller that further proves Taron Egerton is coming into his own.
In the decade-plus since he made a name for himself in Kingsman: The Secret Service, Taron Egerton has made a handful of good decisions when it comes to film and TV that further establish himself in the eyes of this critic. From Eddie the Eagle, to Rocketman, Black Box, and Carry-On last year, the 36-year-old is carving out a good résumé for future roles. And with the release of She Rides Shotgun from Lionsgate, it’s another bonafide performance from the Welsh actor that shows just how good an actor he is. She Rides Shotgun is nothing new, and may not exactly live up to expectations based on the well-received novel from which it’s adapted. However, Egerton’s performance paired with newcomer Ana Sophia Heger make for a one-two punch that makes this film engaging and worthy of seeing in theaters.
When ex-con Nate (Taron Egerton) is released from prison, his troubled past makes him and his family targets amongst his former gang and corrupt law enforcement. On the run, he finally finds his daughter, Polly (Ana Sophia Heger), who grew up while he served time. When he reconnects with her for the first time, they begin to form a bond and learn from one another while living on the run. With the father-daughter duo learning to co-exist with one another, they also learn what they have lost during all those years of forced estrangement as they try to avoid danger lurking throughout New Mexico.
The film’s early scenes vividly portray the daughter’s initial apprehension toward her estranged father, beginning with a school pickup. However, her subtle acceptance becomes more comprehensible as their grim reality is revealed, along with details about the mother. This fresh approach to a father-daughter relationship struggling to reconcile while pursued by dangerous individuals is compelling and helps drive the narrative. While this film does have its occasional thrills in the form of robberies and close up fights, it’s those tender moments between its co-leads that help give this film a beating heart.
As I have said before, Taron Egerton is coming into his own, and he’s as good as advertised as ex-con Nate in She Rides Shotgun. There is not much more to add here, as he continues to show his range as a young, excellent actor. But his chemistry with his co-star played by Ana Sophia Heger is off the charts here. Speaking of which, Ana Sophia Heger gives a star-making performance as the young daughter Polly. In what certainly will help open doors for her in the future, she’s as good – if not better- than her counterpart here. Younger, promising actors in adult dramas are particularly tricky this day and age. But Ana is the exception.
It’s astounding that She Rides Shotgun was not picked up for distribution until just recently by Lionsgate. To me, this crime thriller features two of the better performances in one film we have seen so far this year. While there’s nothing overly new here, it may leave some viewers looking at their relationships with their own children or parents. Family isn’t always pretty, but it can certainly show us at our best – or at least trying our best.