Coyote Lake

Well you better beware who is making the coffee when you're at the US - Mexico border.

So here we get a little tale of a mother daughter team working a bed and breakfast on the border. They seem to prey on unsuspecting guests, but of course a good looking young guy shows up and daughter gets interested in him and it throws the whole game off. So what we have is the what happens next when you throw love and hormones into what was a good thing! I didn't think it was that bad. But it wasn't that great either. 5/10.

Simple story, clean and easy execution. Nothing extraordinary. But there is something that says let me give it the benefit of the doubt.

Reviewers seem to either love or hate this film. I gravitate toward the former camp. Seligman did a good job in my opinion of maintaining a suspenseful atmosphere. I thought the three leads played well together, particularly the mother and daughter. Camila Mendes should have a bright future ahead of her. The palm definitely goes to Adriana Barraza for playing one of the most hardboiled customers in film, right up there with performances by legends like Richard Boone and Lee Van Cleef. The fact that this was done by a middle aged woman makes it even more noteworthy. On a final note, this film reminded me very much of a Japanese film from 1964, Onibaba, again about a mother and daughter who murder people, only this time fleeing soldiers for their armor and money. That's worth a watch too. My general impression is that the people who dislike the film like their cinematic gratification fast and furious. For those prepared to give Coyote Lake a chance, you may well find it rewarding.

I don't understand all the negative reviews. Yes this one is slow with very little action. Yet, the story is thought provoking and well acted. The fun part is the ethical questions you are challenged with. This film is not horror or thriller, but it's a great drama. I recommend you try it some night when you are feeling contemplative. I spent quite a bit of time thinking about the characters and the questions raised in this story, which to me indicates a great film.

Lacked subtitling for the Spanish speaking dialogue, and there was a lot, which made no sense as subtitling existed for the English speaking portions so the cost to add the rest would have been minimal. A bit different take on criminal activity. Just can't trust those sweet mamas & daughters. Definitely not going swimming in that lake. The suspense is in how you think it's going to end.