Review of Retreat (2011) by Sarah . — 03 Nov 2011

Great premise, with a good twist, but flawed in the execution. I seem to be in the minority when I say I think Jamie Bell was miscast; he doesn't have the presence or force of personality required to fully convince in his role. That's not to say he can't act. He obviously can, but someone with a bit more malevolence was probably needed.

Despite Cillian and Thande playing blinders, I found the film to be strangely mechanical and uninvolving on occasions, unable to get up a gear when it could have done with it, and I suspect that the rather intrusive and ineffectual music score has a lot to do with it. It's worth watching, but it's a piece of work that I respect, rather than love. Having said that, it's a hell of a calling card for a first-time director!