Wilderness Survival for Girls

I like to browse through Tubi for Bad movies to watch. Usually I find them but sometimes I stumble on a surprise. This movie was quite well acted for the low budget and was a surprisingly interesting thriller. I was impressed by the movie. Its no Citizen Kane but her its free and enjoyable.

This first feature from the talented producer, director, writer and editor team of Eli Despres and Kim Roberts, shot on video in 18 days, marks an impressive debut and one not to be missed, if you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to catch it in a film festival or in its limited theatrical run. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled for the DVD and video release, if you like indie films that have that unpredictable and slightly off-center (but completely authentic) feel about them.

I, for one, appreciate films that can't easily be categorized, or that use established genres in interesting new ways, and this film qualifies. Three girls go to an isolated cabin retreat in the mountains of Colorado to celebrate their graduation from high school. Almost immediately lots of possibilities present themselves: Is this going to be a coming of age story? Is it going to be a "stranger in the dark woods terrorizing teenagers" slasher movie? Is it going to be a comedy about how bratty teenage girls treat each other? Well, what if some talented filmmakers put all those ingredients into a blender -- along with a few more -- and whip up a whole new, satisfying recipe? Sometimes these "genre-bending" exercises can fall flat on their faces, but in this case, the filmmakers -- because of a great script, great acting, and some beautiful camera-work and sure-footed editing -- take you along for the ride.

I was given this DVD by a friend along with a bunch of others, all low-budget exploitation films. I actually watched this one last, because the title made it seem the least promising. Boy was I wrong! WSFG was by far the best, and deserves to receive a fair amount of acclaim.

The cast of four is all excellent and perfectly cast. (It's fascinating to see the screen tests that show each of the three actresses reading a different part than they were ultimately given, and seeing why the casting decisions were made.) This is a seriously intended and excellently acted teen thriller, which still contains some erotic scenes and nudity -- though the players are still well thought out and given a depth of character. This film is definitely to be recommended. Special praise to the young actresses who should all go on to bigger roles.

There is tension, but not really horror. Threats, but more imagined than real, but still possible. Three just graduated high school age girls head up in the mountains to the family cabin. Ruth, who is 17, seems naive, Deborah uncertain, and Kate, rather outgoing and sure of herself, who smokes and has pot. Near the cabin 8 years earlier was a gruesome murder of a young babysitter and girl. The case was never solved. One night, along comes a stranger, Ed, who is 48, and is living in their cabin while he is not out in the woods. This sets up tension, as they cannot be sure who he really is. And it allows their imaginations to run wild, especially when there is no phone service, and the one girl cannot get their vehicle started to go for the police. A goof appears early in the film when they enter the cabin and open the freezer. There is a fox in there, but it is not rigid nor frozen, but the cabin has electricity and water. But it was shot, and Ed said he shot it. The color of the print just seems off. Maybe the film used, or degradation of the print.

Three college friends, Ruth, Deb, and Kate, recently graduated, set out for a long weekend at Kate's parents' remote cabin. They intend to do nothing but sunbathe, get stoned, and dish on boys until they stumble upon the loaded shotgun and dead fox stashed in their fridge.

That's when they meet Ed (James Morrison), a disenfranchised mountain man who has been squatting in the usually vacant summer house for months.

It's a great set-up, primarily because you never really know if Ed is a psycho or if he's just a poor homeless guy who's just angry that he's been busted by a trio of teens.

It's also great because, compared to the girls, Ed seems almost well-adjusted. Ruth is a closeted lesbian with a crush on Deb, Deb is the under-achieving party girl resentful of Kate and Ruth's money and academic success, and Kate has serious man and confidence issues. Oh yeah, and there's also the fact that Deb was brutally assaulted by her stepfather years before. Then there's that almost urban legendy story of the babysitter and her boyfriend who were hacked to pieces by a deranged mountain man just miles from Kate's family's place....

You get the idea. "Wilderness Survival For Girls" is chock full of rich character development, decent acting, and plenty of twists and turns (and plot angles to work them from). It's one of those movies where you won't find yourself looking at the clock once.

Is it a nonstop suspense thrill ride, ala "High Tension" or "Them?" No. The thrills here are more psychological than anything. But it doesn't preclude them from being any less brutal and shocking.