Comments on: STRAW DOGS Review Pt.2 – Infamous Rape Scene http://www.altfg.com/blog/reviews/straw-dogs-dustin-hoffman-susan-george/ The Oscars, film awards, new releases, Los Angeles screenings, movie classics, gay movies, film festivals, box office, foreign and independent films Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:29:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: Robert N. Davishttp://www.altfg.com/blog/reviews/straw-dogs-dustin-hoffman-susan-george/#comment-516529 Robert N. Davis Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:54:08 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=17010#comment-516529 "But since she is a local, should she not know that they are lustful monsters? Does this not suggest that she wants both their attention and the violence concomitant with it?" That you have to ask this, even (if) rhetorically, shows that you didn't understand the film. As David shoots Charlie Venner, his wife cries out for "Charlie!", not her husband. He solemnly accepts the fact without reacting, which has been his attitude through most of the film. "The lone exception to this seemingly genetic inbreeding is the town constable, Major John Scott." It's obvious from his accent that the Major was not a local, which is why none of the locals were too upset that he was shot. The plot is slight because its unimportant. The pathology of wimp-hood vs the pathology of sex is the story hidden within the story. One shouldn't watch this kind of movie for the plot or even the dialogue, but for its impact. This film made me uncomfortable and uneasy from start to finish, moreso than any other film I've watched - and I'm a tough nut for a movie to crack. It's okay if you don't like Straw Dogs, but you seem to miss some of the subtlety of the film. Sure, Straw Dogs isn't the genius masterpiece of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid or The Wild Bunch, but its a great film, just a notch below. "But since she is a local, should she not know that they are lustful monsters? Does this not suggest that she wants both their attention and the violence concomitant with it?"

That you have to ask this, even (if) rhetorically, shows that you didn't understand the film.

As David shoots Charlie Venner, his wife cries out for "Charlie!", not her husband. He solemnly accepts the fact without reacting, which has been his attitude through most of the film.

"The lone exception to this seemingly genetic inbreeding is the town constable, Major John Scott."

It's obvious from his accent that the Major was not a local, which is why none of the locals were too upset that he was shot.

The plot is slight because its unimportant. The pathology of wimp-hood vs the pathology of sex is the story hidden within the story. One shouldn't watch this kind of movie for the plot or even the dialogue, but for its impact. This film made me uncomfortable and uneasy from start to finish, moreso than any other film I've watched – and I'm a tough nut for a movie to crack.

It's okay if you don't like Straw Dogs, but you seem to miss some of the subtlety of the film. Sure, Straw Dogs isn't the genius masterpiece of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid or The Wild Bunch, but its a great film, just a notch below.

]]> By: Scott Dalyhttp://www.altfg.com/blog/reviews/straw-dogs-dustin-hoffman-susan-george/#comment-491967 Scott Daly Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:22:14 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=17010#comment-491967 Dogmatic, condescending, unremarkable (apart from the poorly articulated comments on rape which come across as misoginistic even though I think they weren't intended to be) review. Dogmatic, condescending, unremarkable (apart from the poorly articulated comments on rape which come across as misoginistic even though I think they weren't intended to be) review.

]]>