Straw Dogs (2011)

L.A. screenwriter David Sumner relocates with his wife to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.

Director:

Rod Lurie

Writers:

Rod Lurie (screenplay), David Zelag Goodman (earlier screenplay),

Stars:

James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Marsden	...	David Sumner
Kate Bosworth	...	Amy Sumner
Alexander Skarsgård	...	Charlie
James Woods	...	Tom Heddon
Dominic Purcell	...	Jeremy Niles
Rhys Coiro	...	Norman
Billy Lush	...	Chris
Laz Alonso	...	John Burke
Willa Holland	...	Janice Heddon
Walton Goggins	...	Daniel Niles
Anson Mount	...	Coach Milkens
Drew Powell	...	Bic
Kristen Shaw	...	Abby
Megan Adelle	...	Melissa
Jessica Dockrey	...	Helen (as Jessica Cook)

Storyline

L.A. screenwriter David Sumner relocates with his wife to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.

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Plot Keywords:

screenwriter | rape | jogging | husband wife relationship | reflection in eye | 

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Taglines:

Everyone Has a Breaking Point

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence including a sexual attack, menace, some sexual content, and pervasive language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Perros de paja

Filming Locations:

Bossier City, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,123,760 (USA) (16 September 2011)

Gross:

$10,324,441 (USA) (7 October 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems, Battleplan Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film, a remake of the controversially violent 1971 movie, is considered fairly faithful to Sam Peckinpah's original, though the location has been moved from Cornwall, England to the U.S. Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the hero's profession has been changed from mathematician to screenwriter.

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Goofs

When Amy gets back from jogging, the amount of and position of the sweat on her top changes numerous times from scene to scene.

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Quotes

David Sumner: Hey Charlie, there is something in the Bible I do believe.
Charlie: Whats that, sir.
David Sumner: "Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife."
Charlie: I believe in that, too. But what happens when thy neighbor's wife covets you?

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Connections

Features Born Yesterday (1950)

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Soundtracks

"Take Me Home Tonight"
written by Stephen Edwards
Published by Source in Sync Music - Provided by 5 Alarm Music

User Reviews

Strong cast - sad remake script

As a fan of Alexander Skarsgård, I really tried to like the movie - but I just couldn't. If the hushed nature of the theater crowed leaving at the end is any indication - they felt the same way. I feel the cast did well with what they had, but the script was lacking in too many ways. Where the 1971 version had tension and excitement, the 2011 version was often boring and all over the place. I often felt like it was Texas Chainsaw Massacre decided to have a get together with Deliverance and Sweet Home Alabama. The whole thing just felt awkward and thrown together. There were only a handful of scenes where the movie actually had my attention - but they were few and far apart and short lived. There were even moments that were so awkward they were actually uncomfortable. I expected so much more with such a classic movie base and wonderful cast - but ultimately it was disappointing.