Tomo's new movie 'Eden Lake' : avoid

[Companero]

Sept 15, 2008 14:11:00 GMT cudas said:

good to see such a debate, though I realise I'm at one particular end of it and there are others whose views are diametrically opposed. Nothing worse than cinematic consensus (apart from people who don't like 'Somers Town' of course).

Anyway, my full review is now finally online:
www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/film/content/view/865/1/

I wouldn't say you're at the "other end" of anything, mate. Like you said, it's great to have a healthy debate about the whys and wherefores behind massively opposed views. I read your review with some interest and although it's well written, you've not convinced me to change my opinion, just as I'm pretty sure that any review that I write (and I was planning one for Lovelockandload.net later in the week) probably won't sway your point of view, either. Haha.

I think the truth of the matter is that a film like EDEN LAKE manages to strike either a negative or positive reaction, depending on whatever baggage you bring along with you. I completely disagree with you about the film appealing more to the "Bretts" (the villain of the piece, in case you've not seen it) rather than the "Steves" (one of the protagonists); as I mentioned in an earlier post, the sort of person that Brett is modelled on isn't going to take much away from EDEN LAKE at all. I would consider myself more than slightly desensitised to onscreen violence in film, yet found myself turning away during certain points; it worked for me because I couldn't imagine a scenario worse than being in a situation where I was unable to protect those that I love.

I also think the whole middle class versus working class angle you reference in your review is unfounded. I think the actions of Brett and his gang transcend economic status and the film would have been just as effective had the antagonists been of the upper or middle classes. What is pivotal to the way in which the events unfold is the difference in age between Steve and Jenny, and Brett and his gang. The youngsters haven't really lived; they have a fairly insular existence and are the children of parents that couldn't care less what they do, so long as they're out of their hair. Again, my latter point isn't one that's a class-specific problem; it's one that's as common in many families, regardless of education and wealth.

I'm certain we could argue our points all day. I think to feel anything when watching a film in this post-modernist age where everything has been done, re-done or homaged is a cause for celebration. I would much rather dislike something immensely and debate my reasons than watch something and feel indifferent about. ;D

[Davros]

www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2008/sep/15/1

Should be interesting viewing, quite looking forward to it.....

[jim woolley]

I've seen EL now and I didn't find it interesting viewing, unfortunately. In fact I went out twice to the toilet because I was bored. There was a fair audience there for it, I suppose there's always a popularity with revenge horror flicks. I didn't warm to the main couple or any of the characters, surely thats a big downfall. The 'chavvy' types also were't as poor-seeming as I had expected. The most threatening one of them seemed well-off in fact. Maybe I missed something in my toilet visits but was there any explanation why the ringleader was such a violent sod? Ah well, trash today, gone tomorrow.

I expected a lot more.

[GADGE!]

TOOK THE EX TO SEE EDEN LAKE TONIGHT, LOVED IT. BEAUTIFULLY SHOT AND THE ACTING IN IT WAS CRAKING. JACK ,THOMMO, FINN AND JAMES DID A GREAT JOB ON THE FILM AND I ENJOYED IT.
GADGE!

[johartley]

BIG ASSE SPOILERS!!!!

I thought Eden Lake was a pile of bilge. It was not scary at all, but was extemley violent. So unpleasantly violent. I was in shock!!! Im really pleased i never got cast in it. I was up for the mum at the end, the role the lady from London to Brighton got. Tiny.

The performances were fantastic from all the kids. I thought Kelly Reilly was terrible. She was deffinatly miss cast! She is usually amazing! Too girly, Running around with a flowery dress on, panting, pulling spikes out of her foot like rambo, holding a twig in her mouth, looking gorgeous. Then running on the wound, awful. Its just not believable. I could understand if this was hollywood, but its set in whats meant to be Stoke or something, so even the middle class couple needed to be so different, to give more of a fight to that film.

Most of the cast in the film was from one particular agency, of which the agent is also the executive producer on the bloody film.

All i can say is the director has not made a good job of this film. The story is rubbish, there are no layers to the film, it could of been really great with the cast he had, but as ive said before its beyond the actors control,.. if yr performance is up to scratch, all you can do is sit back and hope everyone can do their jobs. Somewhere its been let down.

I hated it when Tomo got stabbed, it knocked me sick. Jack was amazing and carried the whole film for me.

Out of interest, as im not a fan of horror films, i went the following nite to se 'The Strangers' which is still awfully violent, but in a different way. the acting is fantastic in this film and its really horrible, intimidating and scary. So it can be done.

Sorry Eden Lake.

[Kezz]

hah.
i saw it last night.
i dont rly like a lot of horror films anyway as the typical cliches within the genre are always so predictable and silly..
Eden Lake surficed though.. I rly liked the lead actor.. Burrows was good as small as his part was..
..its a good cv addition for my friends. end of.

[cudas]

Jo - we have similar tastes! I also thought 'The Strangers' was surprisingly good and tense, though most of the critics seem to disagree.

Also keep an eye out for Perry Benson's newie 'Mum & Dad' if you get the chance to see it (I don't think it's been picked up for distribution) - gruelling, but worth the ... um ... gruel!