The Last House on the Left (C or 2/4 stars)
Warning: before I even begin this review, it must be known that this is a film that should be rated NC-17 rating, not R. There's a 20 min. long rape sequence, and some truly gory scenes in the last 45 min. If you can stomach it, have fun. ‘The Last House on the Left’ a remake {ugh} directed by Dennis Iliadis, begins with the Collingwood family arriving at said lake house for vacation. The family used to comprise John (Tony Goldwyn), Emma (Monica Potter), their 17 yr. old daughter, Mari (Sara Paxton), and a son, but he died a year earlier. On their 1st night there, Mari decides to go out on the town with her pal, Paige. The two meet a seemingly shy, but unkempt guy named Justin (Spencer Treat Clark), who invites them back to his grungy motel to smoke weed.
While there, Justin's traveling companions (the gang) arrive, including his dad, Krug (Garret Dillahunt), his uncle (Aaron Paul), & his dad's sleezeball girlfriend (Riki Lindome). The duo is kidnapped by the crew, tragedy befalls them (including the aforementioned rape), & they're left for dead. In the aftermath of a car wreck & with a huge storm approaching, the 4 dirt bags seek shelter at the only nearby house which, unbeknownst to them, is occupied by Mari's parents! Likewise, the parents don't know their daughter is on death's door out in the woods. And once they learn the truth of their strange overnight guests, be prepared for a gruesome series of revenge tactics. They'll rue the day they ever approached The Last House on the Left, hahaha.
Well, well, well. This is a difficult film to critique & recommend. Technically speaking, as a revenge thriller, it's pretty good. The screenplay isn't dumb (at least, not ‘til the very end). Aside from a few poorly handled scenes, the film held my attention. The center Act (in the house) is a master class of uneasy tension/suspense. There's some degree of sophistication during the proceedings; mood, tone, acting, editing (when's the last time you can say that the editing in a horror/thriller is a strong suit?). There is a potent sense of dread that is set from the beginning of the film and lasts ‘til the end. It's fun to see the bad guys get their comeuppance. So, yeah, it's technically a decent movie; better than expected. Better than the usual (of this kind). That said, it is an unapologetically violent, grim, & depraved film that a good portion of audiences will struggle to stay in their seats for.
I was quite upset throughout lengthy portions of 'The Last House on the Left'. I mentioned a brutal rape scene in the 1st paragraph. Folks, this scene puts the forest scene in Deliverance to shame. Not only is it dirty, grimier, & just more upsetting, it seems to last forever. Just ... uncalled for. I almost turned the damn film off. Later on, we bear witness to some grisly, grotesque acts of violence inside the house. Characters are beaten to a pulp (then keep on fighting, of course), mutilated, skewered, put through garbage disposals (and in a completely unnecessary, gratuitous end scene ... tortured by way of microwave). The last 10 min. are over-the-top, anyway (people who should be dead, yet refuse to die). So, there was just no reason to have to go there once the credits were starting to roll. There is no intellectual subtext here, just a fun (for-the-sick-&-twisted) revenge thriller of the grungiest, grossest order. Yay Parents!!(?)
While there, Justin's traveling companions (the gang) arrive, including his dad, Krug (Garret Dillahunt), his uncle (Aaron Paul), & his dad's sleezeball girlfriend (Riki Lindome). The duo is kidnapped by the crew, tragedy befalls them (including the aforementioned rape), & they're left for dead. In the aftermath of a car wreck & with a huge storm approaching, the 4 dirt bags seek shelter at the only nearby house which, unbeknownst to them, is occupied by Mari's parents! Likewise, the parents don't know their daughter is on death's door out in the woods. And once they learn the truth of their strange overnight guests, be prepared for a gruesome series of revenge tactics. They'll rue the day they ever approached The Last House on the Left, hahaha.
Well, well, well. This is a difficult film to critique & recommend. Technically speaking, as a revenge thriller, it's pretty good. The screenplay isn't dumb (at least, not ‘til the very end). Aside from a few poorly handled scenes, the film held my attention. The center Act (in the house) is a master class of uneasy tension/suspense. There's some degree of sophistication during the proceedings; mood, tone, acting, editing (when's the last time you can say that the editing in a horror/thriller is a strong suit?). There is a potent sense of dread that is set from the beginning of the film and lasts ‘til the end. It's fun to see the bad guys get their comeuppance. So, yeah, it's technically a decent movie; better than expected. Better than the usual (of this kind). That said, it is an unapologetically violent, grim, & depraved film that a good portion of audiences will struggle to stay in their seats for.
I was quite upset throughout lengthy portions of 'The Last House on the Left'. I mentioned a brutal rape scene in the 1st paragraph. Folks, this scene puts the forest scene in Deliverance to shame. Not only is it dirty, grimier, & just more upsetting, it seems to last forever. Just ... uncalled for. I almost turned the damn film off. Later on, we bear witness to some grisly, grotesque acts of violence inside the house. Characters are beaten to a pulp (then keep on fighting, of course), mutilated, skewered, put through garbage disposals (and in a completely unnecessary, gratuitous end scene ... tortured by way of microwave). The last 10 min. are over-the-top, anyway (people who should be dead, yet refuse to die). So, there was just no reason to have to go there once the credits were starting to roll. There is no intellectual subtext here, just a fun (for-the-sick-&-twisted) revenge thriller of the grungiest, grossest order. Yay Parents!!(?)