Long Weekend (2008)

A vacationing couple in the wilderness learns what happens when they disrespect nature.

Director:

Jamie Blanks

Writer:

Everett De Roche

Stars:

Jim Caviezel, Claudia Karvan, Star

Cast

Credited cast:
Jim Caviezel	...	Peter
Claudia Karvan	...	Carla
Star	...	Cricket
Robert Taylor	...	Bartender
John Brumpton	...	Old Timer
Roger Ward	...	Truckie
Lara Robinson	...	Girl in Car
Gordon Waddell	...	Campervan man
Jude Beaumont	...	Campervan woman
Gary McMillan	...	Pool Player
Everett De Roche	...	Barfly
Christopher Brown	...	Radio Voice
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Taylor	...	Bartender

Storyline

Peter and Carla have a wasted marriage and constant friction. Peter buys expensive camping gear and, despite the protests of Carla, insists they travel with their dog Cricket to camp on the isolated Moondah Beach in the North Coast with his friend Luke and his girlfriend during the rainy holiday. Peter stops in a pub at the Eggleston Hotel and leaves a message for Luke with the owner of the pub. When Peter takes what he believes to be shortcut to the beach, he gets lost and the couple spends the night sleeping in their SUV. The next morning, Peter organizes the campsite and their intrusion into and abuse of the natural environment begins. During the two days, the couple's relationship deteriorates while the nature avenges the bad treatment the couple has inflicted upon it.

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Taglines:

Mother nature has a dark side.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some disturbing violent images and brief sexual material

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 August 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nature's Grave

Filming Locations:

Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Victoria, Screen Australia, Southern Arc Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie was filmed entirely on location.

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Goofs

On their way to the beach, Peter and Carla stop at a gas station in a pouring rain. Yet shortly after leaving the station, Peter throws a cigarette butt out the window onto some grass, which immediately catches fire even though it is supposed to be wet.

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Connections

Featured in Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation! (2008)

User Reviews

Decent Film, Though the Message is a Bit Fuzzy

A couple with severe relationship problems go on a camping trip in Australia with their dog Cricket. Things unravel fast, as the couple bicker and treat nature poorly... and before long, it seems as though the very forest turns against them.

"Nature's Grave" (as the film is called in America) is a good film with wonderful visuals and a steady pace of disintegration. The limited number of characters keeps the development strong, and there is a a decent level of gore for the horror fans. Yet, there's something really fishy about this movie.

Presumably, the message is that we shouldn't abuse Mother Nature. Yet, this is not really made clear. While the couple does mistreat their surroundings, it is largely unintentional, and the bulk of their time is spent yelling at each other. The message is further confused when considering the other group of campers, who end up in dire straits for no reason that we are aware of.

Jim Caviezel is a strong actor, though he doesn't really stand out in this film. His character's wife is equally bland. There is some confusion, at least to me, of their nationality. She seems to be Australian, while he does not have the accent. Yet, when confronted with a beached manatee, it is Peter (Caviezel) who knows the history of the local creatures. This was odd.

Aside from the ending, the manatee was for me the most interesting -- and creepy -- part of the film. If you're interested in good shots of wildlife and scenery, this film has plenty of that. But the acting is average and the plot isn't really clear, beyond a fighting couple. Another reviewer writes, "I would not call this a movie where nature strikes back, I would call it a movie where a moron angry at his wife makes a lot of boneheaded decisions." That really sums it up.

This film is remake, and I unfortunately have not seen the original and cannot compare them. However, as a solo film, I found this one to be for the most part enjoyable and I would recommend it to others. To not see this film would be a crime against nature. Be sure to check it out, because you will not find another like it.