Patrick Stewart, once a renowned British character actor, rose to fame as Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Despite the show's popularity, Stewart's career faced challenges as audiences struggled to see him in any role other than Picard. Determined to showcase his versatility, Stewart took on various roles, including the lead in Dad Savage, a 1998 British thriller directed by Betsan Morris Evans.
In this film, Stewart portrays Dad Savage, a successful tulip grower with an unconventional lifestyle that defies the traditional English country gentleman image. Savage's love for country & western music and line dancing sets him apart, but it's his mysterious source of income that intrigues Bob (Joseph McFadden) and Vic (Marc Warren), two workers employed by Sav (Jake Wood), Dad's son and their former schoolmate. When Dad's right-hand man H (Kevin McKidd) reveals a buried stash of money in the nearby woods due to Savage's distrust in banks, the two young men, recently unemployed, hatch a plan that quickly goes awry, leading them to face Dad Savage's ruthless vengeance.
While Dad Savage may not be groundbreaking in its premise, drawing inspiration from Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, the film's unique English countryside setting adds a fresh twist to the familiar narrative. The stellar British cast, led by the incomparable Stewart in a captivating role, elevates the film despite its derivative nature. While the movie delivers entertainment value, even Stewart's exceptional performance may not fully overcome the sense of déjà vu for some viewers.
Rating: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The original text was posted in the Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on June 23, 2004)
Watch the trailer here
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