Straw Dogs (DVD, 2004)

This film is one of the best works of Sam Peckinpah this movie deals with the true humanitarian phenomena, human nature for sexual orientation and needs and the most human seduction and temptation. This movie thrills you from the start to the end and the most magnificent aspect of the movie is its ambiguity and confusing nature of climax. "Straw Dogs" is an intense thriller that shows what can happen when you push even the mildest mannered man too far. In here, Dustin Hoffman plays a mathematician who temporarily moves to a house in a rural village in England with his wife, a former resident of the town, played by Susan George. The two withstand incessant needling from several of the townsfolk until George is raped and assaulted and Hoffman is pushed over the edge.

Incidentally, right after watching this film I found a documentary on cable about filmmakers from the late '60s to late '70s and one of the directors profiled was Sam Peckinpah. I had always considered his films to be violent and vaguely shocking, which never surprised me, knowing that he was a hard-living maverick who did things his way - an element that is resplendent in most of his films. A brief mention of Straw Dogs was included in this documentary, where they described it as a "sexist film". There are obvious scenes in the film that could support this criticism, but I think that is overanalyzing the film with a political correctness that is out of place. While the two female characters are both victimized, Susan George also has her moments of empowerment. I may be a female, but I don't consider Peckinpah's tendency to make testosterone-driven films any more sexist than anything that Tarantino puts out, and I'm a big fan of his work as well. It's a dangerous line to draw when one labels a film due to what is *not* included in a film.

What this film does contain is much more stellar - Hoffman is beyond incredible in this film. His character development is amazing to experience. One criticism of the film that I heard from a friend who saw it before me was that it "dragged." I couldn't disagree more. The development of the story until the extremely violent climax is a perfect pace because it made me feel like I was sitting in a dentist chair, knowing that this low boil could explode at any time. After the dust settles, the viewer is left to decide whether Hoffman's character made the right decision, and left to speculate on the ramifications of the choices made. This is by far one of the best films I've seen in recent months and from this director.

A fascinating tale concerning the controversy and conflict which develop between a brilliant young American mathematician (New Yorker?) named David (Dustin Hoffman) and his beautiful but rather immature English wife, Amy (Susan George), and some of the natives of the small Cornish town they have moved to. Amy had previously lived in the town as a girl, for summers or whatnot, I don't recall the details; but she and the natives share a little history, and that naturally plays into the story as well.
The particular Cornishmen in question are somewhat brutish ruffians. They are also alcoholics; and when they get a little more drink in them than usual; they tend toward violence. When they get REALLY drunk; they become extremely dangerous. Basically, they seem to be jealous of the young couple. Amy is very good looking and sexy, and the boys openly lust for her; whereas she either flirts with and teases them (well, she outright flashes them, I'm not sure that's properly called teasing! ) or rebukes them by turns. They may resent the fact that "their girl" married a foreigner; and they also regard David as an oddball. He is simply not the sort of man they are accustomed to. He is intellectual, bookish, and reserved; and not familiar with the customs and pursuits the lads take for granted. And not only does he possess the utra-hot Amy-- he also has more money than they do, and flaunts it. Not necessarily with ill intent; but it's enough to annoy some of the people round. Although David may come off as a little arrogant or smug at times; he does make sincere efforts to win over the locals and fit into the new society; but to no avail. The churlish ones have it in for him, and soon begin to torment Amy and David in various ways; some of which are bizarre and cruel.


Director Sam Peckinpah gradually builds the tension until the climax, when the situation more or less explodes. I found the film to be suspenseful, intriguing, thought provoking, and, at times, exhilarating. There are some beautiful moments; but the film is also shocking. The events which transpire are generally credible and realistic, if melodramatic. I personally know of such men. As with most Peckinpah films; moral and ethical issues are brought to the fore, and this elevates and adds another dimension to his work.

Very well acted and filmed; in fact, I'd go so far as to call it a minor masterpiece.

Highly Recommended.

I liked the movie because I like the lead Actress Susan George and she looked really sexy in the movie. I am not a big Hoffman fan but since he's playing the geeky nerd husband type It fits the story and his acting style well.
I think the movie was pretty good maybe a bit disturbing for some but much better in both the acting and overall quality of the movie . Straw Dogs Is much better then the current crap that Hollywood tries to make now overall

I bought this for a friend who is a peckinpah fan.

He tells me it an excellent movie.

I need to borrow it from him.


bruogs

This movie was quite interesting in, and of itself. Since it was made about 30 years ago, the gory scenes looked a little bit off, but they still scared the crap out of you. The movie took a linear approach to the deconstruction of a man that was put over the edge, and now must fight back to gain everything he had built and lived for.