Gold Review: 127 Hours Meets The Rover In Zac Efron’s Best Effort Yet
Anthony Hayes has had smaller roles in iconic Australian films like Animal Kingdom, but his work as writer-director and co-star in Gold is a true Hollywood coming-out party. Paired with Zac Efron's lead performance, one that sees him as committed as he has ever been, Gold works. The makeover Efron goes through is never over-the-top and always believable. The athletic nature of the filmmaking is at once warranted and logical given the bare-bones survival plot. One might think the desert setting would hold back cinematographer Ross Giardina (Carl’s Motel), but his use of the surroundings makes this feel like the best version of a film shot during the pandemic. Gold isn't a gut-punch, but it lulls to sleep before spearing with a jagged branch.
Man One (Efron) needs a ride from Man Two (Hayes) to embark on an expedition into parts unknown. They aren’t even remotely friendly and the ride is purely based on business. Once they stop to rest for the night it becomes clear Man One is looking for gold and he will need Man Two to get it. After countless hours in the hot sun, Man One finds gold. A compromise is struck. Man Two will go into town to acquire the machine they need to excavate the gold, while Man One watches over the gold in case of thieves. As the days and hours go by, Man One begins to lose control of himself once his water and rations are depleted. The only question is what's more dangerous — the hyenas who circle his decaying body or his mind on the brink of insanity?
Related: Zac Efron: His 5 Best (& 5 Worst) Roles According To IMDb
The prosthetics on Efron are a perfect fit for the film. Actors routinely go through monumental changes to take on a role. Many times it is that exact fact that makes audiences feel them
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