Like a remix of The Last House on the Left (2009) and Of Mice and Men (1992), Straw Dogs has a story line which seems stitched together with violence and bad acting. The two angles the story is worked from collide in a mess of guns and fire. From viewing the trailer I was expecting something along the lines of The Strangers (2008), although based on a true story and cruelly brutal this was a tense and deeply disturbing film. Straw Dogs, unfortunately, did not cut the mustard.
I believe it was mainly the story line which let the movie down. I am unaware of whether or not Jeremy (Dominic Purcell) was a character in the original. If he was so, then it was obviously the decision of the director to keep this part of the drama included. If he was not, however, and the 'straw dogs' attack the home of David (James Marsden) and Amy (Kate Bosworth) for some other reason then it was a stupid and confusing idea to add this character. Although Purcell performed brilliantly he was an unnecessary extra.
Another brilliant performance came from Alexander Skarsgard who portrayed Amy's childhood sweetheart, Charlie. Unfortunately Marsden and Bosworth were not as exceptional.
Personally I am a huge fan of Skarsgard anyway, mainly for his role in True Blood, I am unsure where I have seen Bosworth previously but I have an opinion formed in my mind already and entered the film with preconceptions of her. I found her acting irritating and confusing. Amy's intentions, feelings and thoughts were lost on me and I couldn't figure the character out. If you are a fan of Bosworth you may view this film in a different light. Stubbornly I cannot find the positive in her performance.
Without giving anything away this film is like many others before it, being a remake this isn't a huge surprise, but others have been better. I felt there was a lack of emotion, a lack of tension and a severe lack of a credible story. I would not view this film a second time nor would I recommend it. I am interested, thought, to see the original and get back to you with my thoughts after viewing the first envisioning. One positive comment I can make is the concept behind the name fascinated me. When David explains to Amy what a Straw Dog is and the meaning of the term my attention was given a nudge. Otherwise my thoughts were elsewhere during the 1 hour 50 minute trawl through Blackwater.
** 1.5 Stars
