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The Last Great Wilderness (2002)
A severely underrated gem, for those open to its charms
I bought an ex-rental copy of this as an impulse buy after reading about the soundtrack, which features several indie favourites (Pastels, Eugene Kelly, Jarvis Cocker, etc.), and having expected just a bit of fun - "Straw Dogs meets The Wicker Man", as it said on the case - I was very pleasantly surprised. In many ways it acts as the antithesis of both those films; at first it seems like a surefire Wicker Man ripoff, before defying all expectations, and rather than take Straw Dogs' hoary "you must take up arms and taste blood to be a real man" shtick, it offers quite the opposite.
Is it a scary film? Not really, and if that's what you're expecting, as "Donald Darko" was, then you'll be disappointed. Rather it's a unique, atmospheric film full of new ideas concerning gender and sexuality, as Charlie begins his journey from a cuckolded man desperate to violently reassert his masculinity to discovering a new way of doing so when he gets into the lodge. Admittedly, I had just read Carol Clover's "Men, Women & Chainsaws" when I first saw this, so all the symbolism as regards castration anxiety seemed quiet obvious, but this is a film that stands up to repeated viewings and offers new insights every time you see it. I'm not going to pretend I understand all of it yet - Vincente's arc still eludes me - but this is one of the reasons to keep coming back to it.
Again, if you're expecting "Dog Soldiers", this film isn't for you. But in short, what is right about it: cracking dialogue; beautiful DV photography by Simon Dennis; one of the most tender, erotic love scenes in years; the butterfly symbolism; ace performances; a lovely soundtrack... oh hell, you get the idea. Ignore Philip French's snotty review - this is great modern, refreshing low-budget British film-making, and if there's any justice in the world, it will find its audience in time.
Conclusion - rather than being a predictable, violent thrill-ride, TLGW is possibly the most intelligent, subtextually rich British horror film since Don't Look Now. Seek it out now!