Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Feb 3, 2012 18:34:26 GMT -5
Plot:A thirty something man who lives in a suburb just outside of Portland says goodbye to his beautiful and loving wife and heads into town. There he unintentionally provokes the wrath of a mysterious motorcyclist. The confrontation between the two, sets in motion a day long battle. Beginning in the form of harmless taunts then quickly escalating into something more serious and then into something unimaginable.
Cast:
Audrey Walker
Rick Crawford
Chris Witherspoon
My Thoughts:Good for what it is.
Review:"Rage" is an indie thriller/horror film from filmaker Chris Witherspoon. In which a married man who is cheating on his wife, soon gets his comeuppance at the hands of a mysterious biker. Who has their sights set on him. Tormenting and harassing him at every turn throughout one fateful day. This movie is an obvious homage to "Duel" (1971). And it makes that point known even in one scene in the movie where "Duel", the Steven Spielberg made-for-tv movie, is actually mentioned by two men having a conversation at one point during the movie.
The problem with "Rage" though, is that it's not very much, filled with "Rage". I know it's an indie. So they can't or couldn't go all out on what they wanted to do with the movie. But I was expecting something a little more high octane. "Rage" was a flurry of activity, but not much of it carried any impact. Or any impact that was noteworthy if you will. I just looked at this movie as a piece that was supposed to bring as much high-impact stuff as possible. Most of the scenes in this film however. Were not very dramatic, suspenseful, or entertaining.
That doesn't mean the picture was plum-terrible though. It just means that I expected better. Even on a budget. I thought too much emphasis for example. Was put on the main character Dennis Twist, and his "philandering" ways. So the guy screwed around on his wife. How many horror movies or horror/thriller blends, have we seen where men have done the same? Or WORSE?! I think the moment you base the fault of a male lead in a horror film with "he cheated". It's a lazy and cheap way to justify anything that happens to him later on.
Such as him being chased, assaulted, attacked, beaten, etc. Not that I am supporting philandering men in any way. Just simply saying that a better "evil". Needs to be crafted for the character. Maybe something more original like "he sells stolen organs on the black market". Or he's purposely rigging car accidents on random highways. As part of an insurance fraud scheme. Something more original, and outside the norm. Rather than just "oh, he's a dog." Also, in the case of Dennis Twist.
The character is hard to pull for considering he seems to have it all, and yet screwes himself over by being stupid and selfish. I would've preferred a character who was dealing with some inner-turmoil of sorts. And went astray. But instead, we get a guy who has the "white-picket-fence" life. Gets bored, and so he cheats on his seemingly faithful and loving wife. And to make matters even worse and more ridiculous.
The woman he cheats on her with. Has a boyfriend who just was released from prison. And the film wastes no time in trying to make us think he's the mysterious black-clad biker who is chasing Dennis around the city. Key word being "trying". Of course if you know this genre's patterns as well as I do. You'd probably know from act 1 the angry biker is NOT, the ex-con..."ex". But that doesn't stop Witherspoon the writer/director. From trying to make us "think". It's him. And with not enough red-herrings to go around. The attempted guessing game of "who's the psycho biker dude?" gets boring, fast.
Witherspoon by the way also makes an appearance in the film as the aforementioned villainous biker. Who seems to want "something", from Dennis. But at the same time, also seems to enjoy tormenting him. And not exactly taking what he wants from Dennis right away. Which is actually one of the saving graces of the film! Witherspoon manages to craft this simple character. Who doesn't wield any major trademark weapons. Or spill a ton of blood. Into a pretty evil, insidious, and nefarious being.
Always seeming to be able to just take Dennis out whenever he chooses. But yet, at the same time. Just seems to be having too much fun to end the "cat and mouse game" too, early. Thus, the pursuit continues in the movie. All the way up to a pretty "heavy" and shocking third act. Where the mysterious biker gets up, close, and "very" personal. With Dennis, and his family. And mixed into things, are some pretty psychlogically disturbing and impactful death sequences.
Which really push the antagonist into the category of "pure evil". And also make you question how the film will ultimately end. As Witherspoon does a good job of really drawing out the terror, and big question marks about the biker's identity, motives, and whether or not he'll be shut down eventually. "Rage" is simply a good movie for what it is. It doesn't attempt to step out of its comfort zone. Which in some ways is a good thing. And in others, a bad thing. But as an indie that is clearly in the vein of Speilberg's "Duel", and films like it. It's a decent homage.
Positives:"Rage" knows what it is, and tries to do its best with what it has. The films final act was very powerful.
Negatives:The backstory of Dennis was not crafted very well beyond "he's a cheater." And there's not enough red-herring's in this movie to make the biker mystery fun to ponder.
Overall:Two out of four stars.