| Wolf Creek |
There was a time when Australian films came into vogue here in the United States. Films like PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, BREAKER MORANT, GALLIPOLLI and PROOF introduced American cineastes to such performers as Mel Gibson, Jack Thompson, Hugo Weaving and Russell Crowe and directors like Philip Noyce, Bruce Beresford and Jocelyn Moorehouse. Then Hollywood poached a lot of the talent and the renaissance of the Australian cinema slowed. Fewer and fewer homegrown product was released theatrically in the U.S. Here in New York City, we’d be lucky to see a gem like LANTANA or other movies like JAPANESE STORY or SWIMMING UPSTREAM, but they became rarer. One such rarity is the thriller WOLF CREEK, a crackling good yarn replete with startling imagery, strong performances and even a sense of humor (albeit somewhat cynical). WOLF CREEK is loosely inspired by several cases wherein travelers in Australia mysteriously disappeared. (The film engendered some controversy Down Under when the film’s distributor was asked to delay its release until after the trial of Bradley John Murdoch who is accused of murdering British tourist Peter Falconio. Murdoch’s trial began in October 2005 and, as of this writing, was still ongoing. Writer-director Greg McLean has pointed out that the film is based on several cases, although the media has jumped on some similarities to the Falconio case.) McLean’s tale centers on a pair of British women, the plucky Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and the quieter Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi), who are on holiday in Australia. Enjoying the beaches and just out for a good time, the women eventually meet handsome native Ben Mitchell (Nathan Phillips) who agrees to drive them to Wolf Creek National Park to see a meteor crater. In spite of having a girlfriend back home in Sydney, Ben begins a tentative flirtation with Liz. After a brief stop to fuel their car, the trio eventually makes it to the crater where things begin to get dicey. As it is getting dark, the car won’t start. Fearful of being stranded in this remote area, the three welcome the arrival of Mick (John Jarratt), a strange but seemingly innocuous local who offers them a tow and a place to stay. Anyone who has ever seen a horror film knows that things won’t go smoothly but I certainly won’t spoil the plot. Suffice it to say that things take an unexpected turn and the tension ratchets up with each subsequent scene. In his feature debut as writer and director, McLean clearly has studied the best of the genre. He knows how to slowly build tension. The early sequences that introduce the characters allow the audience time to get to know them and sympathize with them. These are not just cardboard cutouts being moved around by a director to service a plot. The audience gets to know the trio fairly well. Despite seeming to be a party animal, Ben has a moral code where women are concerned. For her take-charge front, Liz has a sentimental side shown in her growing attraction to Ben. Kristy shows sensitivity and concern for her girlfriend. Once they fall into a perilous situation, the audience is caught up in their struggles to survive. I have to give special props to Jarratt for creating the character of Mick. Back when I was first studying film in college, my instructor called attention to Jarratt along with Mel Gibson, Lewis Fitz-Gerald, and Bryan Brown, among others. The actor has enjoyed a fruitful career Down Under but never cracked the international market, so it was something of a surprise to find him in this film. His performance is particularly chilling, in part because it is quite different from his other work. Beautifully shot by cinematographer Will Gibson, WOLF CREEK takes the classic elements of the genre – a handful of characters, an isolated setting, a deranged killer – and twists them into a shocking and scary film. Rating: B MPAA Rating: Not rated Running time: 99 mins. Viewed at the Broadway Screening Room |
| © 2005 by C. E. Murphy. All Rights Reserved. |