Review of Straw Dogs (1971) by Simon R — 08 Dec 2007
If you push a man to his limits, he will blow up. If you push a film to its limits, it will blow up also (in a negative way). That is what happened here. However, the moral and emotional transformation Hoffman's character goes through is quite fascinating to watch.
The constant indirect mockery by the local, dirty, sweaty, stereotypical machismo hired-help and the unashamed, disrespectful bareness and tease of his wife makes Hoffman lose his manhood, his stature, and eventually, his moral fiber.
This film was banned for 18 years not because of the despicable rape scene that takes place mid-film but because of the victim's reaction throughout the sequence. To be honest, it was quite uncomfortable, disrespectful and tasteless.
Nevertheless, I respect Peckinpah's work here because he tries to portray the disgusting animal behavior of humans within certain situations and environments that can have the ability to take control of one's self.
This review of Straw Dogs (1971) was written by Simon R on 08 Dec 2007.
Straw Dogs has generally received positive reviews.
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