Friday 27 January 2012

Film: Straw Dogs



This remake of the notorious 1971 Dustin Hoffman film casts X-Men’s James Marsden in the lead with notable support from Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard and James Woods. TV favourites Dominic Purcell (Prison Break) and Walton Goggins (The Shield, Justified) also feature.

David Sumner (Marsden) and his wife Amy (Bosworth) decide to return to her hometown, a tranquil setting that should be conducive to David’s writing.
They soon hire a group of locals to repair their barn and tension quickly builds, leading to a sexual assault on Amy.

I haven’t seen the 1971 version but because of it’s reputation I was expecting something more visceral than what’s on show here. The attack on Amy is very unpleasant but it lacks the power required for this type of scene to suitably shock. Subsequent events also seem somewhat anti-climactic.

There are some nice performances, especially from James Woods, but for a controversial rape / revenge drama check out the recent remake of I Spit On Your Grave (see review elsewhere here).

Ric’s Rating: 45%

6 comments:

  1. I saw the 1971's version and this goes into my "it-didn't-need-a-remake" category. Not that it wasn't good, but you know. Some things just need to be left alone. The charm of the first one is in Dustin Hoffman's game. In seeing the rational facade gradually crack up and reveal the violence he had within. I'm not too sure any fresh faced idiot can pull such a detail-oriented job. It's based on a short story btw. "The Siege of Trencher's Farm" by a gentleman named Gordon Williams.

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  2. It's an alright flick but being compared to the original, it just seems like a film that didn't need to even be made other than to just show us how bad ass James Marsden can be sometimes. Good review Ricky.

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  3. Go back and watch the original - it'll make this one look even worse.

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  4. Thanks for the cool comments guys. I had figured that Marsden wouldn't come close to Hoffman. Hopefully i'll get round to the original.

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  5. Thanks for this one! I was pretty sure I didn't want to see it and now I'm sure!

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  6. Totally agree with your review. Thought this was just ok, no need to remake it though. Also enjoyed James Woods. He was the best part of the movie.

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