Sightseers (2012)
Starring: Alice Lowe, Kennith Hadley, Steve Oram
Writers: Alice Lowe, Steve Oram, Amy Jump (Additional Material)
Director: Ben Wheatley
Synopsis (IFC):
Chris wants to show his new girlfriend
Tina his world and he wants to do it his way – on a journey through
the British Isles in his beloved RV. Tina has led a sheltered life
and there are things Chris simply needs her to see. But it doesn't
take long for annoying tourists, overbooked campsites and Tina's
meddling mother to spoil Chris' dream. Now he's out to prove that
hell truly hath no fury like a vacationer scorned.
Review:
I went into Sightseers more or less
blind eyed. Other than seeing a trailer – which doesn't show the
full greatness of the film – I did no other research. Admittedly, I still haven't watched Ben Wheatley's Kill List, which I
hear is insanely excellent. I'll definitely be seeking it out now,
and anything else Wheatley's name is attached to, because Sightseers
blew my damn mind. It's a perfect mix of hilarity, brutality, and
strangely, endearment.
At the end of the day, our lead
characters may not be the most well strung individuals, but that
doesn't mean that they aren't without sweetness. It's kind of
impossible to not fall in love with Chris and Tina, despite some of
the heaviness that unfolds during the story. They are actually easy
to relate to in a lot of ways. Have you ever been in a situation
where someone near you does something that just completely rubs you
the wrong way, so much that you want to take action? You know you
have. I have visions of Michael Douglas Falling Down syndrome all the
time. But that's it; they're just visions, and you can't follow up
with them. That's the beauty of having a film like Sightseers, where
characters DO follow up with actions, allowing the viewer to blurt
out a morbidly resounding “Hell yeah” followed by laughter.
On the acting front, Alice Lowe and
Steve Oram – who additionally wrote the story and scouted locations
– are absolutely monsters in their roles of Tina and Chris. They
nail every aspect of their relationship, from love to spite to anger
and so on. What makes this all the more admirable is that both
characters are pretty restrained personality-wise. There's some other
great secondary performances in the film, but it's really the two
leads who shine above all.
Revealing the horror factor of
Sightseers would be a true injustice, but damn, it definitely has
some graphic moments. Honestly, the sheer violence behind some of the
actions is what makes it so heavy hitting. The bloodletting is extra cheese on the already awesome nachos.
Jim Williams has a great score and the
movie carries an awesome rock soundtrack, as well. What's nice about
the music here – along with some sleek camera direction and slo-mo
moments – is how well it contrasts with the insanity of the story.
Final Word:
I can see Sightseers ending up on a lot
of “Best of” lists, given that it just dropped on DVD in the
states. It will definitely be somewhere in mine. Now available from
IFC, and also streaming on Netflix. Well worth your time, friends.
Special Features on DVD- Interviews, Trailer
- Eric (Brobocop)
