Long Weekend (2008)

Director:

Jamie Blanks

Writer:

Everett De Roche (written by)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Mother nature has a dark side.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Remake Of Australian Film | Horror Movie Remake

Cast

James Caviezel	...	Peter
Claudia Karvan	...	Carla

Also Known As:

Nature's Grave (USA) (video title)

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Arclight Films

Goofs:

Continuity: Blood and fur disappears from the front of the car shortly after Peter examines and fixes headlight.

Movie Connections:

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

Unnerving and fantastic!

Sometimes I find myself doing a double-take when I read film reviews on IMDb.com. I gauge the stars and ponder the reviews usually basing my decision whether to see the film upon them. Man, am I glad I went against the grain with Long Weekend. Frankly, I am surprised by the contrast between my opinion and the average and I don't usually even care much for man against nature thrillers.

First, let's clear the air. This film is indeed a horror film. Granted there are no chainsaws or neanderthals in hockey masks. There is no torture porn, cannibalism, or any of that other run-of-the-mill garbage they call horror these days. Oh, and yeah, it does slowly simmer to a boil which probably ticks off those with short attention spans. However, this film delivers the chills and the pay-off is worth the time invested.

Peter (James Caviezel) and Carla (Claudia Karvan) are a feuding couple one step away from divorce who head towards a secluded Australian beach on a camping trip. The common thread is a disrespect for nature which comes back to haunt them. While Peter is shooting haphazardly at anything that moves with his father's old rifle, Carla is spraying ants and breaking eagles' eggs. Mother Nature finally loses her patience and reminds the two who is boss.

Now I know that sounds like an all too familiar plot, but in Long Weekend the formulas work and you can't help but find yourself feeling the dread that slowly envelopes Peter and Carla as they begin to realize they are not welcome.

If, like me, you're tired of the Saws and backwoods inbreds chowing down on idiot teens, give Long Weekend a chance. You'll be pleasantly surprised and glad you did.