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:

References Storm Warning (2007)

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.