This was certainly a lot better than I expected, and if it's not a great film, it served its purpose of keeping my attention. Matt Mulhern and Justine Batemen have found that into woods is not where they ought to go, arrested in the middle of the night by supposed lawman Joe Penny. He's actually a psychopathic killer with a possessive girlfriend (Valerie Landsburg) who thinks, after Mulhern manages to make his escape, that Penny and Bateman are having an affair. But the truth is much worse, showing that creepy crawleys in the woods aren't always the eight legged kind.
I was surprised to see Landsburg (Doris, "Fame"), and delighted by her wonderful dramatic performance. She creates a memorable characterization, far from one dimensional, and winning sympathy even though her character is rather neurotic for desperately hanging on Penny while trying to raise two children from a previous relationship. He is excellent too, adding a lot of dimension to what could have been a cliched interpretation of a dangerous nutcase. In comparison, Bateman and Mulhern are dull even though they are the ones who should be getting the sympathy. This wouldn't get any awards for writing or direction, but Penny and Landsburg are being added to my list of best supporting actors of this year.
I was surprised to see Landsburg (Doris, "Fame"), and delighted by her wonderful dramatic performance. She creates a memorable characterization, far from one dimensional, and winning sympathy even though her character is rather neurotic for desperately hanging on Penny while trying to raise two children from a previous relationship. He is excellent too, adding a lot of dimension to what could have been a cliched interpretation of a dangerous nutcase. In comparison, Bateman and Mulhern are dull even though they are the ones who should be getting the sympathy. This wouldn't get any awards for writing or direction, but Penny and Landsburg are being added to my list of best supporting actors of this year.