Cactus (I) (2008) User Reviews

This film leaves me stranded in the Australian outback.

[Len9876 · 7/10 · 6 September 2008]

This is an unusual adventure with striking scenes of the Australian outback. Travis McMahon (who plays a kidnapper) and David Lyons (a hostage) carry most of the film. There is an interesting exchange between the kidnapper and the hostage, which captivates the viewer, as the two travel to the kidnapper's destination. Bryan Brown (who plays Rosco) provides excitement, as he adds twists to the story, and is vital to the film's surprise ending. Rosco, a law officer, carries destiny and his own brand of justice. Will the kidnapper and the hostage arrive at their intended destination? And, will the kidnapper be able to safely return to his home, his wife, and his young daughter?

The direction and writing, by Jasmine Yuen Carrucan, is good. But, the story is not fully developed, and I found the ending to be incomplete. The film's ending left me, and the two main characters (the kidnapper and the hostage), in suspended animation. People are killed, and they just seem to disappear, without a trace. In addition, the flashbacks in the film are confusing to me, and I don't know what their relationship is to the film's storyline. It is for these reasons that I rank this film a 7 out of 10. The film has potential but, as a viewer, I was kidnapped and don't really know why. The film is a puzzle, without all of the pieces, but see if you can try to piece it together. I definitely can't.

Not Bad - Like Bone Dry

[rstone-27 · 6/10 · 21 August 2008]

This is not a bad movie --

not a good one -- kind of slow in places --

Standard Ausie Out-Back movie -- some parts are like Bone Dry --

others remind you of Wolf Creek -- Both of the characters played did a remarkable job in keeping you interested in the long journey --

It was rather cool how Rosco (Bryan Brown) took care of his friend Thommo (Shane Jacobson)...

All in all not a waste of time -- but not an on the edge of your seat thrill either.

You be the judge of this one. I gave it a 6 because they didn't supply a 5 & a half.

A bit slow, but engrossing nonetheless

[Ezequiel · 7/10 · 18 December 2008]

This film could have been a masterpiece if the motivations and situation had been a bit clearer. We are left with an endless trek through the back roads with no destination in sight and no reason to feel any sympathy for either protagonist. There are several moments in the narrative that leave you guessing and wondering why the situation turns out as depicted.When you add up the miles traveled in the red Ford, it seems incredulous to say the least.As for the ending...well, you be the judge. You may be disappointed, confused, sad or in awe..it's hard to know what the film maker's intent was, but then again, that's the attraction of cinema.The expansive outdoor shots are delightful and beautifully photographed.

I'm so confused.

[mat-mcnaughton-254-33257 · 6/10 · 27 July 2012]

This movie was really cool, then it ended. It was a great two-man show, save for the few minor characters they meet along the way. There was a good story arc and some funny scenes/dialogue, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it meant or even what it was about. None of my questions were answered, and the director didn't even bother to add a resolution of any sort. I was really looking forward to the ending, honestly. It's hard to come by a movie which utilizes so few actors, but I can't say I enjoyed it as much as I could have. Maybe it was rushed to be completed, I dunno. It's one of the movies where the trip isn't worth the destination, but the trip itself is good enough.

Mediocre "Thriller"

[stikfigureman · 6/10 · 11 March 2012]

I've got a few movies sitting around at home to watch and I decided this one first because Shane Jacobson was in it and I did enjoy Kenny. That was pretty much the main reason behind my choice and I do want to try and find some good Aussie films. It was mediocre at its best.

The plot of this movie is a very simple one. At the beginning we see one man beating up another man. Then cutting to a man (Travis McMahon) driving in the desert and he just keeps driving. Turns out he was doing the beating up and he's taking his victim (David Lyons) to some guys that promise him money. The two start off quite hostile towards each other but because they spend so much time together they start chatting. Shane Jacobson plays a truckie that follows their path, but he is barely in the movie and Bryan Brown plays a police officer that runs into them early on.

The movie was written and directed by Jasmine Yuen Carrucan, a lady that normally has worked in the camera and electrical department (like the Kill Bills). Her writing was decent but nothing particularly stood out and it never stepped away from doing anything safely. The dialogue was dry throughout the movie, it wasn't bad but still nothing good. The plot doesn't mean a lot could really happen but it did feel dragged on. Still despite this, none of it was bad.

As for the acting, really the only people on the screen are McMahon's and Lyons' characters. Both were decent and they worked together on the screen very well. It was their on screen chemistry that made this movie that bit better. As I said before Shane Jacobson has pretty much no screen time so there is nothing I can really comment on. Bryan Brown has small screen time and makes his presence known but thats about it. Although that is because of the plot of the movie, so I can't comment too much.

The movie was alright with its acting, directing, dialogue and story so it all comes together as being just above average. This is a movie that is great to fill time and I recommend it to anyone a fan of the Australian film but don't really go out of your way to do so.

originally appearing on my blog: www.comikkazee.com

Road to Nowhere

[robifearnside · 26 January 2010]

Take a slow and arduous journey into outback Australia with two blokes locked together in a 'FORD', no less! One the kidnapped victim, for whichever reason we never really discover and the other a real loser who turns out to be helping his dieing wife by kidnapping this bloke for $20k, taking him into the never-never by means of a lot of dry banter between both. It keeps one riveted to find out what it's all about and the unsuspected ending left me confused and still bewildered to know what it was all about. I guess it was about a road to nowhere by a film to nowhere via a script that left me perplexed and guessing which direction it was meant to take. Perhaps after all that's what it was all about after all. I am still guessing and wondering if I had the mickey taken out of me though by wasting hours on the road to nowhere watching this? No fault of the actors though- it was worth watching for their parts were difficult and riveting.

What are you gonna do?

[bombersflyup · 5/10 · 22 September 2020]

Cactus is a somewhat engaging film, acting's okay. Has too many unknowns though, with no prelude or conclusion.

We don't know who's paying for the delivery, if there are any consequences for not doing so. Why Rosco just lets him go? It's all too underwritten and cut short. The offer could have been made a lot earlier too, making it all for nothing.

Involving and thought provoking

[Nilsosmar-2 · 8/10 · 25 December 2012]

I found Cactus to be involving and thought provoking. I've read some reviews elsewhere online that said it wasn't fast paced enough; I think they were written by people looking for an action movie, and not prepared for what is basically a relationship drama, in which the painful trajectories the characters are on are revealed to the audience as they're revealed to each other.

I found it interesting that while both of the main characters were believable, the kidnapper ultimately was revealed to be more sympathetic (though both characters went through a transformation as the narrative developed.)

Re: the reviews online that claim too many elements were left unresolved, I understand but don't agree with their point. Cactus is not a movie that wraps things up into neat packets, neatly labeled, with a narrator summing up the meaning or "moral." The viewer is left to figure some (major) things out. If you like your movies all sewn up with neat explanations, it may be unsatisfying, but if you like relationship dramas that open up slowly, and leave you to ponder some things, I expect you'll like it.

Job Well Done.

[ThisIsolatedRoom · 8/10 · 27 October 2011]

I really enjoyed this movie. It was slow at times but I must say David Lyons 'Eli' did an amazing job at keeping me very interested. It was an interesting script and it kept me asking questions but the end was satisfying. The message behind the movie was strong and I would defiantly watch it again. :)

Kudos to the director, Interesting storyline, Amazing acting performances, costumes and make-up were a win and all in all a job well done!

I would defiantly recommend seeing it if you enjoy movies with more meaning than action.