Dylan Fair
Arts Editor
“Straw Dogs,” the remake of Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 cult classic, offers new simplicity and an Americanized twist on a violent tale of right and wrong. The new direction of the film gives testament to the original picture while providing the remake with its own personality.
This new adaptation does not match or surpass the original; however, strong direction and a slew of captivating supporting performances give the film complexity and depth. “Straw Dogs’” use of symbolism and the glorification of the human spirit through violence gives this film an identity all its own.
This tale of human morality takes place in the small town of Blackwater Mississippi. David Sumner (James Marsden), a relatively weak-bodied Hollywood intellectual, returns to the hometown of his wife, Amy Sumner (Kate Bosworth). The new family hopes to escape the hubub of Los Angles to finish a movie script.
Immediately, the newlyweds are faced by hostility from the town locals. Amy’s good looks garner negative attention while David squares of with his wife’s ex-boyfriend Charlie (Alex Skargård). Conflict erupts when David protects Jeremy Niles (Dominic Purcell), a mentally disabled local who is accused of rape. The violence against Niles pushes Sumner to a breaking point, causing him to take any means necessary to protect his family and Niles.
What allows this “Straw Dogs” remake to stand on its own from the original is a sleek and sophisticated script. The film’s straightforward direction and storytelling make the events portrayed seem plausible.
“Straw Dogs” contains many of the most violent scenes in recent cinematic memory. stemming from the gruesome actions Sumner must take to protect himself and his wife. However, these actions do not glorify violence but instead show their necessity in protecting whats is right. When combined with strong back stories of characters, these actions shown in “Straw Dogs” seem not only justifable but realistic.
“Straw Dogs’” strong realism is derived from very passionate performances by the ensamble cast throughout the film. James Woods gives a near flawless performance as a typical red-neck, drunk and retired football coach named Tom Heddon. Woods ability to show human darkness through accurate dialouge makes Heddon thoroughly truly hated for the duration of the film.
The film deserves praise for its use of violence in the film’s gory finale. Many scenes are extremely creative, utilizing objects including fire pokers, nail guns, and a bear trap. However, director Rod Lurie understands these depictions are disturbing, not titillating, as in many modern thrillers. These gruesome scenes are presented with admirable skill.
Lurie gives audiences a smart psychological thriller, injecting new life into a recently struggling genre. Lurie’s newest production lacks enough substance to make a lasting impact or garner high raving approvals. Nonetheless, the film deserves credit for great story telling.
What keeps “Straw Dogs” from greatness is a weak leading performance from Kate Bosworth in comparison to her supporting cast. In a role that required true emotional depth, Bosworth failed to portray the deep-rooted struggles against violence and brutality needed to survive. In the movie’s iconic rape scene, she lacked the ability to show a complete physcological breakdown. Bosworth was only superficially able to show these emotions and lacked the ability to channel her character.
In the hour and a half before the finale, artificial dialogue was issued in attempt to create numerous symbols that held no weight.Sumner’s materialism, represented by the hood ornament of his Jaguar, and his pacsifist morals depicted by his glasses, demonstated the over-emphasis on these arbitrary symbols that gave the film a heavy sense of overindulgence.
As the original “Straw Dogs” elevated the level of violence acceptable in filmmaking, the new 2011 adaptation shows how violence can be used for artistic and cinamatic purposes.
This movie is not for the faint of heart, but the film’s talented supporting cast and direct, in-you-face direction will please anyone who has the stomach for it. Audiences will appreciate a new 21st century twist on a 20th century classic. “Straw Dogs” is rated R and in theaters nationwide.
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