Beyond the Reach (2014)

A high-rolling corporate shark and his impoverished young guide play the most dangerous game during a hunting trip in the Mojave Desert.

Director:

Jean-Baptiste Léonetti

Writers:

Stephen Susco (screenplay), Robb White (based on the book: "Deathwatch")

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Jeremy Irvine, Martin Palmer

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michael Douglas	...	Madec
Jeremy Irvine	...	Ben
Hanna Mangan Lawrence	...	Laina
Ronny Cox	...	Sheriff Robb
Patricia Bethune	...	Secretary
Jadelyn Dawn Wilkins	...	Dead Girl w / Lipstick
Eddy Glenn Patterson	...	Helicopter Pilot

Storyline

Madec, an international and unscrupulous entrepreneur, hires the skilled young tracker Ben to guide him through the fearful and barren Mojave Desert during a hunting trip. Unfortunately, however, things will take a turn for the worse, when prideful Madec shoots unintentionally the wrong target, and in a cynical attempt to wash his hands of the irrevocable deed, Madec will try to bribe himself out of this predicament by offering Ben a hefty compensation in exchange for his silence. But as this is against Ben's principles, before long, the unfortunate tracker will run for his life under the fierce and merciless sun. Undoubtedly, the desert is limitless, but on the other hand, so is the desire to survive.

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Plot Keywords:

new mexico | new mexico desert | man | hunting accident | killing someone by accident | 

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Taglines:

What began as an accident has become a deadly game.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Mercedes G63 6X6 appears both in this film and in Jurassic World (2015).

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Goofs

When Madec hands Ben the rifle, he says the Leupold scope is the best scope out of Sweden. Leupold is an American brand who makes all their scopes in the United States.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ben: You know I can't keep this, right?
[pause]
Ben: Man, your grandfather made it for you.
Laina: To give the man I love.
Ben: Come on, you won't miss me. Your practice at six every morning, classes... All those college guys...

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Michael Douglas/Kat Dennings/St. Vincent (2015)

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Soundtracks

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-Flat Major, K. 482: III. Allegro
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by John O'Conor, piano with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Conducted by Charles Mackerras (as Sir Charles Mackerras)
Courtesy of Telarc, by arrangement with Concord Music Group, Inc.
[Played in Madec's car while he watches Ben in the desert]

User Reviews

Beyond the Reach

Beyond the Reach might evoke memories of films such as The Edge, Surviving the Game or any other one which borrowed the "human hunt" concept. Inside that narrow sub-genus, Beyond the Reach isn't the best one or the worst one, because despite offering good performances and impressive natural settings, it didn't leave me very satisfied due to a screenplay which loses credibility as the actions of the characters get more absurd, until reaching an absolutely forced and improbable ending. Or, better said, "endings", because Beyond the Reach is one of those films which don't know when to end, and need to throw us twists until the last moment in an effort to seem more ingenious or transcend the simplicity of a formula which didn't need such a flourish to leave the spectator satisfied. Needless to say, the result is exactly the opposite. On the positive side, we have the competent performances. Michael Douglas shows charisma and absolute credibility in his role, while Jereme Irvine also makes an efficient work, while being able not to get darkened by Douglas' overwhelming presence. I also have to mention the amazing Merecedes Benz G63 AMG 6x6 driven by the character John Madec; its design is imposing, like the son of a trailer and a Humvee, with so many functions and compartments that it's the closest I have seen to a Batmobile in the real world... even though I don't know whether Batman would have a kettle integrated to his vehicle. He would probably prefer to inject himself vials of caffeine, or something like that. Anyway, going back to the point, Beyond the Reach didn't bore me, and Douglas and Irvine make a solid work in their roles, but the whims of the screenplay and its absurd conclusion avoid me from recommending it with too much enthusiasm... except as a commercial of Mercedes Benz. I was truly left impressed by the G63, but I prefer my Volkswagen for the urban environment.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 April 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beyond the Reach

Filming Locations:

Farmington, New Mexico, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,287, 19 April 2015

Gross USA:

$45,895

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,100,432

Company Credits

Production Co:

Square One Cinema, Lionsgate, Furthur Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color