Review of Straw Dogs (1971) by Elsie S — 30 May 2008
Ultimately, this film is very uncomfortable to watch as everything about it is so awkward. The camera, the setting, the characters and the lighting all add to the anxiety, while the somewhat graphic rape scene really doesn't help matters one bit.
Still, it is these things that make Straw Dogs a great piece of film-making. Hoffman gives a great performance as David who stands up for his rights and ironically, in doing so, tries to keep a moral code.
Amy, played by Susan George, is mesmerising, and yet annoying, to watch but, it is their chemistry that is brilliant in increasing the tension. Difficult for its time and still difficult now, this film is one that is at its "symbol using" best, where everything represents something else and really demonstrates that we haven't changed in attitudes to each other since the times of Christ.
This review of Straw Dogs (1971) was written by Elsie S on 30 May 2008.
Straw Dogs has generally received positive reviews.
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