MOVIE REVIEW - Straw Dogs

Straw Dogs is one powerful, hard to watch at times thriller.

Straw Dogs is the story of a young couple Amy and David. They are from Los Angeles and move back to her hometown deep in the heart of Mississippi. Amy has made it as an actress and David is a screenwriter. After the death of her father, they move back to her childhood home, but find out quickly they are not really welcome there.

This group of local thugs and bullies decide they don't like David, and are not thrilled with Amy anymore and her new life. They begin terrorizing the couple in every way they can. After these bullies kill the local sheriff on Amy's property, they decide the have to kill all witnesses. Namely Amy and David. Can they survive?

Straw Dogs is harsh. But it is also compelling and scary. I know it's Hollywood, but to be honest, it's not all that far fetched. They put you on a slow burn to the showdown you know is coming the whole time, but that's OK. They don't wear you out, or drag this out too long. I think they knew they had limitations, and made the best movie they could with what they had.

Straw Dogs is well cast and well directed. It is also borderline brutal at times, and many scenes may make some uncomfortable, so buyer beware. It is also highly adult. It's not for everyone.