Review of A Perfect Getaway (2009) by Scot C — 27 Jan 2011

Anyone who has been paying even the slightest bit of attention while watching A Perfect Getaway will see the big twist coming. On reflection though, maybe that was director David Twohy's plan all along as having believed that you've worked out what is going on only draws you into the film further. This is a very good thriller which is restrained on it's use of horror style gore in favour of some good character building and interaction.

An ensemble C-list cast which includes Steve Zahn, Milla Jovavich and the usually excellent, let's not hold Hitman against him, Timothy Olyphant form part of a group of 3 back packing couples who's paths cross in the aftermath of a recent murder in Hawaii. Is one of these couples the guilty party? Well, yes, obviously, otherwise there wouldn't be much of a film going on here.

The cast are all really strong. They've all starred in their fair share of awful movies so must have known this was going to be a good one and that shows in their performances. The real stars of the movie though are the script, characterisation and Twohy's fine, tension fuelled direction, all of which lift the movie well above the usual vacation gone wrong type fodder.

Some may find it a trifle annoying that the twist is so well telegraphed in advance but even after the reveal there's still a good deal of uncertainty within the film, plus the way in which it is played out is done so well that it's edge of the seat stuff while it is happening. The film then surprises in the direction that it goes off in, adding a new dimension to it.

A Perfect Getaway is a great little thriller which almost demands a repeated viewing, just to see if there were any other clues you missed along the way the first time.