Gripping, compelling and brimming with tension Straw Dogs isn't an easy ride as it slowly escalates into a complete frenzy. It makes sure the viewer sees the animalistic morals lurking within us all. The plot follows Dustin Hoffman as David and his girlfriend Susan (Amy Summer) as they move to rural English countryside. The pair, cut off from main civilisation, are faced with the locals as they threaten their well being. It escalates into a breakdown in all moral code.
The infamous rape scene is genuinely shocking and controversial, even by today's standards. Maybe because it's so believable as Susan is at one moment emotionally terrified and then seems to somewhat enjoy the experience.
Straw Dogs depicts an unsightly image of the darkness in man (as Joseph Conrad would say!). It's unsettling, but the characters and escalation of violence is worryingly believable. A slow start but certainly worth the ride up to the very gruelling end! [A-]
No comments:
Post a Comment